Frontiers in perinatal medicine.

A few of the topics of particular interest in perinatal medicine such as surfactants, erythropoietin, cordocentesis and computer assisted decision support are briefly reviewed. Asphyxia and oxygen toxicity are discussed as is the increase in the formation of free radicals which is part of reoxygenation. The infinitely larger problem of the poor in developing countries can best be improved--at least partially--by extending family planning techniques universally, otherwise the population explosion will counteract any other improvements.