Auditory responsivity in term small for gestational age (SGA) compared to term appropriate for gestational age (AGA) human newborns reflects functional differences which may be attributable to intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Between-group comparisons of percent of responses of averaged late component auditory evoked events (AEEs) to pure tone stimuli (500, 1000, 2000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 Hz) at 63 and 80 dB SPL revealed significantly greater AGA responsivity at 80 dB SPL. Conversely, the AEE mean latencies were significantly shorter for SGA infants at both intensity levels. Between-group responsivity differences suggest developmental retardation in term (38-42 weeks) SGA newborns, but the faster SGA latencies may reflect 'induced' acceleration in auditory neurophysiologic function.