The Flemish Centre for the Study of Perinatal Epidemiology was formally established in 1986. Its objectives are the promotion of perinatal epidemiology and the study of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. One of the means to accomplish these objectives was the creation of a databank of perinatal medicine. The registry at present covers almost 80% of all deliveries in Flanders. The registry indicates a maternal death rate of 5.8/100,000 living births whereas the Belgian official national statistics indicate a maternal death rate of 2.8/100,000. This means that either the matter is under reported at the national level or there is a real problem in the Flemish part of the country. The perinatal death rate varies among the participating services form 3.9 to 22.4‰.