Brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAER) were recorded in 89 neonates born between 32 and 40 weeks, in order to analyze the consequences of intrauterine growth retardation on brainstem conduction time. The I-V interval was measured in 28 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants (control group), in 24 small for gestational age (SGA) infants with maternal hypertensive disease (MHD) and in 37 SGA infants without MHD. At any gestational age, SGA infants with MHD always presented an acceleration of their brainstem conduction time as compared to the other SGA infants. For the SGA full-term twins without MHD, the brainstem conduction time was delayed. These results reflect the specific consequences on brainstem development of the various factors responsible for intrauterine growth retardation (IURG).