Key issues in perinatal growth.

The key stages and progression of fetal growth are described, together with the related growth-controlling and influencing fetal, maternal, and feto-maternal factors. Placental and genetic influences are discussed. Perinatal outcome for the fetus is emphasized as the key endpoint, and the need, therefore, of fetal growth curves that have predictive value. This is of particular importance in studying the differing outcomes for pre-term and small-for-gestational-age infants.