Small-for-gestational-age fetuses are frequently detected in general o
bstetric practice. Despite remarkable improvements in our understandin
g and management of this group of conditions over the past 20 years, m
uch more research is required. During the year reviewed in this articl
e, advances were reported in identification, association/causation, re
lationship to maternal smoking, fetal endocrinology, clinical investig
ation and management, and these are discussed in turn.