Objective To study the relationship of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), the role of EGF in PIH and fetal growth restriction (FGR), and the effect of EGF on the fetal development in PIH. Methods Thirty-five severe PIH (SPIH, 17 with FGR and 20 without FGR) and twenty-two normal pregnancies were selected . The concentrations of EGF in plasma were analyzed by RIA. The expressions of the EGF receptor (EGFR) in placenta were assayed by immunohistochemistry. Results (a) The EGF concentration in plasma. EGF concentration (96?46 ng/L) was found significantly lower in SPIH than that (144?36 ng/L) in normal pregnancy. P0.05. (b) The levels of HPL in serum were positively correlated with the concentrations of EGF. (c) The immunostaining of EGFR in placenta. The EGFR immunostaining was more highly impressed in SPIH placent than that in normal (P0.05. Conclusion The level of EGF in plasma in SPIH is lower than that in normal pregnancy. But the expression of EGFR is higher. The long existence of lower EGF level in SPIH might lead to the depressed placental function and the occurrence of FGR.