Early fetal growth retardation: obstetric background and recurrence rate.

The obstetric background of early fetal growth retardation, leading to intrauterine death between 25 and 34 weeks or to delivery before 34 weeks' gestation, was investigated in a group of 100 women. Hypertensive disorders were the most common causative factor (59%). Other causes included antepartum hemorrhage and congenital anomalies. In 20% of the cases no obvious explanation for the fetal growth retardation could be found. The recurrence rate of fetal growth retardation in 49 women who had a subsequent pregnancy was found to be nearly 50%. In one-third the severity of growth compromise was comparable to that in the previous pregnancy, whereas in the hypertensive group this incidence reached nearly 50%. Because of the poor prognosis in current and subsequent pregnancies, it is suggested that women with early fetal growth retardation should be treated at centers where all obstetric and neonatal facilities are available.