Fetal and child health

Abstract

With one of the lowest birth rates in the world, the Dutch population is especially concerned that each child have the maximum chance possible for a long and healthy life. The average family has less than 2 children now, and that figure may fall even further. Increasingly, each birth is planned. Births are spaced at an interval of several years. People often seem to want to have ‘perfect’ babies. This puts special pressures on the health care system.