Perinatal epidemiology is a specialized field of epidemiology that investigates the distribution, determinants, and prevention of health outcomes and conditions occurring during the perinatal period, typically defined from late pregnancy through the first week of life. This research area applies epidemiological methods to identify risk factors, understand causes, and study patterns of events such as perinatal and infant mortality, congenital anomalies, pregnancy complications, and long-term sequelae, aiming to inform public health interventions and clinical care to improve maternal and child health.