OBJECTIVE. To determine the risk factors of intrauterine fetal death in a Northern Peruvian population. DESIGN: Retrospective, analytical, case control study of intrauterine fetal death in 2,743 deliveries with newborn weights 500 g or more and/or over 19 weeks gestation ATTENDED AT HOSPITAL DE APOYO III, SULLANA, PERÚ, BETWEEN JUNE 1994 AND JUNE 1995. Data were obtained by the CLAP Perinatal Informatic System. RESULTY: The 92 dead newborns gave a fetal death rate of 33,5 per 1000 newborns; 53,6% occurred during pregnancy, 30,4% in an unknown moment and 11,9% during delivery. Causes of intrauterine death were infections (44,6%), hemorrage (25%) and hipertension (9,8%). Cause of death was not determined in 16,3%. Risk factors of fetal death were: a) Maternal: multiparity (RR 1,65), induced delivery (RR 7,75), PNC (RR 0,44), breech (RR 2,95) and transverse PRESENTATION (RR 4,56), preterm ...