Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR): prenatal diagnosis by imaging.

The early detection of the IUGR is of great importance. The ultrasounds technique is the gold standard to estimate the foetal size. The combination of some biochemical markers and uterine doppler opens a promising way for an early identification of the IUGR. The estimated foetal weight or the abdominal circumference combined with a doppler of the umbilical artery seems to be the most sensitive and specific method to diagnose a pathological growth retardation due to a foetal placental disfunction. The umbilical doppler and also of the cerebral arteries and the venous doppler besides the biophysical procedures, have to be used to plan the optimal moment for the delivery.