[Risk factors in infant morbidity and mortality]

The authors approach a notion of great present day interest--namely risk factors determining infantile morbidity and mortality. They review the methods for study and identification of risk factors and analyse the relative frequency and importance depending on the maternal-infantile biosystem and exogenous, environmental factors, showing the strategy of the control (reduction) of infantile mortality based upon the identification and knowledge of risk factors. The study is of practical value allowing pediatricians at all levels of the maternal-infantile network to perfect medical surveillance of the population at risk and to plan differentiated individual care for infants and children whose health status exposes them especially to risk.