Intrauterine growth retardation ( IUGR) can cause persistent impaired development of the pancreas in fetuses. Meanwhile, IUGR can cause dyspepsia and disorganized glucose metabolism, increasing the risk of metabolic diseases in offspring and even leading to the premature death of animals. As a secretory organ, impairments in internal and external secretory functions of the pancreas are to a large extent due to the improper development of the pancreas. This paper reviews the regulatory mechanisms of IUGR that affect transcription factors important at various stages of pancreas development, facilitating research to clarify the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with IUGR and impaired pancreas development. Ultimately such research will lead to new, reasonable and effective measures to prevent and treat IUGR.