The incidence of low birthweight infants, the effect of intrauterine growth retardation on anthropometric measurements, and local standards of intrauterine growth curves for weight, crown-heel length and head circumference together with curves of body measurement ratios of weight/length, weight/head circumference and weight/length x head circumference are presented for the population of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). Acomparison is made with a standard composed for a Caucasian community with completely different socio-economic and nutritional status. From 28 to 34 weeks of gestation weight gain in Dar es Salaam foetuses was reduced, while length and head circumference were relatively less affected. However, an increased intrauterine growth velocity was recorded from 34 to 38 weeks of gestation.