The first five-year research plans developed by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), covering fiscal years 1983-1987 and 10 program areas, are published in this volume. Present knowledge is reviewed and research opportunities are indicated in the areas of reproduction, fetal development, the birth process, the newborn, infancy and childhood, adolescents, and family and populations. Subsequently, priorities for future research are specified for the 10 program areas of (1) fertility and infertility, (2) pregnancy, birth and the infant, (3) nutrition, (4) sudden infant death syndrome, (5) congenital defects, (6) mental retardation, (7) child and adolescent development, (8) contraceptive development, (9) contraceptive evaluation, and (10) population dynamics. The volume also contains a description of a strategy for annual program evaluation and further planning. Appendices provide a description of the method of study used by the NICHD Steering Committee, a description of the task with which the study groups were charged, an outline of the review process and a listing of reviewers, and the procedure used to arrive at the research plan. (Author/RH)