This text views perinatal knowledge through the lens of public health practice and covers a vast array of issues regarding maternal and infant health. Its format facilitates quick and easy reference for the student and practitioner alike.

Perinatal Epidemiology synthesizes perinatal knowledge through the lens of public health practice. This comprehensive text uses a consistent, logical format to offer readers: (1) A spectrum of topics affecting maternal and infant health: reproductive health concerns, maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, and gestation and fetal growth. (2) Information on timely issues, including infertility, gestational diabetes, preterm delivery, postpartum depression, and SIDS. (3) Detailed discussions of current epidemiological trends, measures and measurement issues, data sources, and risk and protective factors for each condition covered. (4) In-depth consideration of public health interventions and their availability, strengths and limitations. (5) Emerging areas of interest and directions for research. (6) Text boxes, definitions of key terms, discussion questions, appendices, and other helpful features.

Perinatal Epidemiology is a valuable, ready resource for public health professionals in maternal and child care, reproduction and fertility. Its accessibility and easy-use format make it an equally strong textbook for courses in these fields as well as for advanced medical and nursing students in OB/GYN and pediatrics.

Chapter 1: Introduction.- Chapter 2: Reproductive Health Issues.- Fertility.- Male and female infertility.- Infertility treatment.- Pregnancy intention.- Legal Induced Abortion.- Contraception.- Preconception care.- Chapter 3: Maternal Morbidity.- Definitions, measures, and measurement issues.- Overall Maternal morbidity.- Antepartum conditions.- Ectopic Pregnancy.- Hyperemesis of pregnancy.- Urinary tract infections.- Gestational diabetes.- Pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders.- Peripartum conditions.- Hemorrhage.- Perineal laceration.- Operative delivery.- Attributes of women with cesarean deliveries.- Postpartum morbidity.- Depression.- Public health interventions and their availability and use.- Primary prevention.- Secondary prevention.- Chapter 4: Maternal Mortality.- Definitions, measures, and measurement issues.- Antepartum mortality.- Postpartum mortality.- Chapter 5: Infant Morbidity.- Definitions, measures, and measurement issues.- Morbidity with shortened gestation and near-term IUGR and sequelae of prematurity.- Developmental Delay/Disabilities.- Infection.- Birth Defects.- Injuries (intentional/unintentional) .- Chapter 6: Fetal and Infant Mortality.- Definitions, measures, data sources, and measurement issues .- Descriptive Epidemiology: Overall mortality .- Early pregnancy loss and spontaneous abortion.- Fetal death.- Infant Mortality.- Infant mortality due to Sudden Infant Death (SIDS) .- Public health interventions, their availability and use.- Chapter 7: Fetal Growth and Gestational Duration.- Chapter 8: Conclusion

Advances in medical science, public health, and health care interventions during the 20^th century have led to dramatic decreases in infant and maternal mortality. Nonetheless disparities in infant and maternal health persist. Because their health remains a significant public health indicator, Perinatal Epidemiology synthesizes perinatal knowledge through the lens of public health practice. This comprehensive text uses a consistent, logical format to offer readers:

• A spectrum of topics affecting maternal and infant health: reproductive health concerns, maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, and gestation and fetal growth..
• Information on timely issues, including infertility, gestational diabetes, preterm delivery, postpartum depression, and SIDS.
• Detailed discussions of current epidemiological trends, measures and measurement issues, data sources, and risk and protective factors for each condition covered.
• In-depth consideration of public health interventions and their availability, strengths and limitations.
• Emerging areas of interest and directions for research.
• Text boxes, definitions of key terms, discussion questions, appendices, and other helpful features.

Perinatal Epidemiology is a valuable, ready resource for public health professionals in maternal and child care, reproduction and fertility. Its accessibility and easy-use format make it an equally strong textbook for courses in these fields as well as for advanced medical and nursing students in OB/GYN and pediatrics.