The results of a multicentric survey in the Emilia-Romagna area from 1978 to 1984 are given. During the first week of life, 103,484 babies were examined. Anomalies were detected in 1,914 babies, 326 of which had genitourinary malformations. There were 214 cases of hypospadias with a history of exposure to progestogens for threatened abortion, intrauterine growth retardation and early maternal menarche. Ninety-one cases of urinary tract malformations were found and in 66 babies this was the only anomaly. Until 1983 antenatal ultrasound examinations detected only 25% of urinary tract anomalies. In 1984 this figure climbed to 70%.