INTRAUTERINE INFECTION - PATHOLOGICAL-STUDY ON CHORIOAMNIONITIS AND VILLITIS OF UNKNOWN ETIOLOGY

Twenty-five placentae between 24 and 41 gestational weeks showing sign s of intrauterine infection were studied pathologically. The placentae with chorioamnionitis at less than 33 gestational weeks had thick amn iotic layers due to infiltration by polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL ) and fibrin deposits. Umbilical cords also showed signs of infiltrati on and occasional calcification. The main cause of chorioamnionitis in these cases is ascending bacterial intrauterine infection had villiti s with cholangiosis and dysmature villi in 6 placentae. The clarificat ion of these infectious processes is difficult, and they are mostly di agnosed as villitis of unknown etiology (VUE). Autopsy data are useful for the clarification of infectious pathology in stillborn cases.