Abruptio placentae and chorioamnionitis - microbiological and histologic correlation

Background. To determine the association of chorioamnionitis with placental abruption. Subject and method. Fifty pregnant women admitted with abruptio placentae were compared to an equally large control group in spontaneous l abor with no history of antepartum hemorrhage. Swabs from the cervix and pl acental membranes were cultured for aerobic and anaerobic organisms. Placen tal membranes were studied histologically in 40 women of study group and 35 of control group for any evidence of chorioamnionitis. Results. Specific organisms were isolated in 22 (44%) women in the study gr oup and 19 (38%) women in the control group. The cervical swab microbiologi cal flora was similar in both groups but isolation of specific organisms fr om placental membrane culture was higher in the study group (40%) compared to the controls (18% p<0.05). Evidence of histologic chorioamnionitis was h igher in the study group 12/40 (30%), than in the control group 8/35 (22.85 %), but the difference was not significant. Conclusion. The incidence of silent chorioamnionitis (placental membrane cu lture positivity) is higher in the abruptio placentae.