Intrauterine growth restriction is accompanied by decreased renal volume in the human fetus.

Objective: Intrauterine growth-restricted fetuses are at risk for the development of adult hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases. Congenital oligonephropathy has been postulated as the primary mechanism. The objective of our study was to determine whether ultrasonically obtained in utero measurements of renal volume or renal artery Doppler blood flow differ between fetuses that are intrauterine growth restricted and fetuses that are not.