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In order to describe the incidence and the epidemiologic pattern of viral hepatitis (V.H.) in a French urban area, with a special attention to ambulatory cases, an epidemiological information system has been developed during one year. The physicians (sample), the medical laboratories and, at a lesser degree, the hospital care units, have taken part in this work. The incidence rate of ambulatory cares has been estimated 85 cases/10(5) persons (69/110), less than previously assumed. Non-B V.H. remains more frequent (52 cases/10(5) persons), but B.V.H. are rather close to them (33 cases/10(5) persons). Large differences exist between geographic areas, without evident rational. Higher incidence rates characterize children (especially 5-9 years) and migrant people (especially from North Africa): those facts are completely account by very high rates within the subgroup of migrant children (473 and 260 cases/10(5) persons). The reported patterns allows us to point on this high risk characteristic of migrant's children and to assume an important modification in the pattern of local inhabitants V.H. in the region. These trends have to be followed by further studies.

North African people living in France have low socio-economic standing and high birth rates. Growth in weight and height of 359 North African infants born in France was followed during their first 2 years of life. Comparisons were made with standard growth curves for French infants and with the growth of 143 French infants living in similar conditions. Growth in height was similar in each group but at 6 to 9 months of age North African girls were heavier (p less than 0.05). In order to standardize the data for each infant, cubic polynomial interpolation method was used.