25 singleton pregnancies were terminated by cesarean section between 28 and 33 weeks of gestation because of suspected growth retardation and abnormal unstressed cardiotocograms. Only infants with birth weights below the tenth centile were considered. 17 survived and were neurologically examined at 2.5–7 years of age. 2 were neurologically abnormal (1 had an adrenogenital syndrome) and 1 showed minor neurological dysfunction. Cesarean section appears acceptable in the management of intrauterine growth retardation with fetal distress in the early third trimester.