Chorioamnionitis and fetal/neonatal brain injury

Chorioamnionitis (CA) is the leading cause of preterm birth and neonatal co mplications. Even in the absence of a proven infection, fetuses and neonate s present a systemic inflammatory response which can be identified by radio logical and morphological examination of the thymus. The frequent occurrenc e of brain injury in neonates with CA is probably linked to systemic, unspe cific mechanisms which have not yet been completely clarified. Only by rela ting placental pathology to clinical evaluation of the newborn will it be p ossible to achieve a better understanding of these infections and to reduce long-term morbidity and mortality. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG. Basel.