This review analyzes a role of the immune system in growth-retarded fetuses  under antigen-induced influences and the role of clinically oriented environmental factors in etiology of restriction in the fetal growth. Some morphological and biochemical features have been described in relation to the growth restriction  or low weight fetuses and newborns. Geographic peculiarities of immunoglobulins levels in the fetal blood was shown to be related to the neonate’s birth weight. Morphological and biochemical changes in the placenta were described  as a reason for growth restriction  or low weight fetuses and newborns. A link between disturbed transport across such placental parts as the apical microvillous membrane of the syncytiotrophoblast and the basal plasma membrane and FGR has been discussed. Effect of maternal behavior on fetal growth and weight has been analyzed. Mother’s diet, diseases, smoking, quality of drinking water, alcohol consumption,  socioeconomic or race/ethnic status, genetic predisposition – all these factors was shown to have distinct effect of fetal development, its growth and weight.