Six hundred forty three women who had a cesarean done at Belen´s Hospital from November 1991 to October 1992 were studied to determine frequency, indications and maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Incidence was 16,6% of all deliveries. Most frequent indications were repeat cesarean section (32,8%), cephalopelvic disproportion (24,5%), breech presentation (10,7%) and pregnancy induced hypertension (10,4%). Thirty nine mother (6,06%) presented morbidity: endometritis in 15 cases, anemia in 11 and abdominal wall infection in 10. One mother died from hypovolemic shock caused by placenta previa. Morbidity in neonates (71,2%) consisted in more than one pathology. Infections ocurred in 315 newborn infants (70,6%), asphyxia in 105 (23,5%) and ictericia in 82 (18,3%). Twenty-one infants died in uterus and 20 newborns died. Causes of neonatal deaths were asphyxia in 15, acute rapirat...