Babies who sustain intrauterine growth retarda-tion are known to have structural and metabolic abnormalities. They may have, for example, disproportionate reduction in the size of some organs, including the liver. They have abnormal glucose-insulin metabolism,'raised serum triglycerides, 2 and high plasma growth hormone and cortisol3 concentrations. A recent series of studies has now shown that abnormalities of structure and metabolism persist in small for dates babiesand that they have an increased risk of coronary heart disease in adult life.