Prospective, descriptive, comparative investigation of 252 cases of abortion to determine associated epidemiologic factors and maternal morbidity and mortality at Las Mercedes Regional Teaching Hospital Chiclayo, Peru, from January 1 to June 2, 1993. Seventy eight per cent of all abortions were spontaneous and 21% induced, e. i., 1 abortion per 6 deliveries and an abortion rate of 179,5/1000 live newborns. Maternal mortality due to abortion was 142/1000000 live newborns. We conclude that abortion constitutes a serious public health problem that merits immediate multispecialty and plurisectorial attention.