These data were collected as part of the longitudinal study on nutrition and mental development promoted by INCAP in rural areas of Guatemala to investigate indicators of risk of moratlity during the 1st year of life. 1384 children born between January 1968-September 1976 were observed. Of these only 578 were measured before the 15th day of life; in this group there were 18 deaths, or 3.11%, within the 1st year of life. Of the remaining 764 children whose anthrompometric measures had not been taken, 29, or 3.79% died within the 1st year of life. Measures investigated were weight, height, arm circumference and head circumference. High risk infants were those with weight less than 3 kg, height equal or less than 48 cm, head circumference equal or less than 35 mm, and arm circumference equal or less than 9.9 mm. These variables can easily be used as simple indicators of risk of death in infant health care centers in both urban and rural areas.