RESUMO
Information regarding various perinatal conditions in Curacao and Aruba (Netherlands Antilles) leading directly or indirectly to permanent brain damage of the infant is scarce. In this study, the high perinatal morality rate for Curacao (35.4 per thousand total births) is comparable to those from other (Eastern) Caribbean countries. On the other hand in Aruba with similar socio-economic conditions to Curacao, a much lower perinatal mortality rate (18.0 per thousand total births) is found. The relatively higher mean birthweight (3390 gram) in Aruba resulted in a high incidence of large-for-dates babies (14.1 percent) and a relatively low incidence of low birthweight infants (5.8 percent). Early neonatal weight loss occurring immediatley after birth is greater in "large" babies as compared to "smaller size" babies of the same gestational age. This will result in different growth patterns between these two groups of infants and may be explained by differences in body water content. The statement that increasing the mean birthweight of a population by food supplementation during pregnancy will automatically reduce the perinatal mortality and morbidity can only be made with caution (AU)