The absence of p45 NF-E2 in mouse placenta impairs placental vascularization and results in IUGR in mice.18 In order to ascertain the relevance of p45 NF-E2 for placental function and syncytiotrophoblast differentiation in humans, we analyzed human placentae from 26 women with normotensive IUGR pregnancies and no indication of preeclampsia along with control placentae from 30 women with normal pregnancies. Here, NFE2 is linked to fetal growth restriction.