[Infant mortality- course, causes, improvement possibilities].

According to national mortality statistics and to epidemiologic surveys main causes of infant mortality are congenital malformations, prematurity with its immaturity related morbidity, asphyxia, and, more recently, the sudden infant death syndrome. In all these situations the full scale of possible preventive measures has not been exhausted. This applies, in particular, to disorders in the perinatal period. What is needed is a greater awareness of risks, more gynecological interest in the baby and better teamwork between gynecologist and pediatrician; this also means a more effective use of available resources. Infant mortality rate still could be reduced by 50 percent.