title: History of prenatal care in Belgium.
abstract: The history of the national mother and child care organization is reviewed up to 1980. The organisation originates in the efforts made during the First World War to provide food for mothers and children. Free prenatal visits have been organized since 1919. Among other activities, an extensive system of home visiting has been provided. The special program of prevention of preterm deliveries is an example of more recent actions focusing on high-risk groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Youth Health Care, Catholic University, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bande-Knops
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Renaer
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: VanTongelen
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D014857:Warfare