Trends in intra-uterine growth (IUG) of newborns from 1969-1973 to 1989-1993 were studied among rural and urban communities. Yerushalmy's five group classification of IUG was used. The percent preterm low birthweight (LBW) declined from 7 to 3 in rural and from 5 to 2 in urban areas. The percent of newborns with retardation of IUG declined from 20 to 11 in rural and from 13 to 8 in urban areas. Possible factors contributing to such changes are discussed.