Maternal-infant health care: a comparison between the United States and West Germany.

The health and well-being of mothers and infants are of world-wide concern. Although the United States spends more money on health care than most other countries, it continues to lag behind other countries in its infant mortality rate (IMR). The author's perusal of research reports and her work experience in a hospital maternity setting in both the United States and West Germany (before the recent unification) suggest that the United States could benefit by reviewing the experience of others. The author also describes several strategies used in Germany to reduce its IMR--practices that could be implemented in the United States.