·         Chromosomal anomalies

·         TORCH infections

·         Toxoplasmosis

·         Rubella

·         Cytomegalovirus and other viral infections Syphilis

·         Structural fetal abnormality

·         Major maternal illness (including collagen vascular disease)

·         Maternal smoking

·         Idiopathic

·         Maternal drug abuse

·         Maternal weight below the 10th percentile for height or below 45 kg

·         Sickle cell disease

·         Recurrent antepartum hemorrhage

·         Fetal alcohol syndrome

·         Starvation

·         Exposure to excessive ionizing radiation

·         Early onset placental insufficiency.

NB- Symmetrical growth retardation is said to be present when the fetus is small for dates (at or below the 5th percentile) but normally proportioned.