Abstract
Summary
Ninety-eight growth retarded babies born in a peripheral district general hospital without routine ultrasound screening were analysed. Routine obstetric practice failed to diagnose antenatally 65 per cent of dysmature babies. The perinatal mortality and morbidity in babies that were diagnosed antenatally was better than those not diagnosed (P<0-05). It is concluded that the current antenatal practice for detecting fetal growth retardation is inadequate.