Subject(s)
Child Health Services , Medical Staff, Hospital , Pediatrics , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Hungary , Infant , Work Schedule Tolerance , WorkforceABSTRACT
This study was undertaken to determine the relationship between the placental villous edema and the characteristic sequelae of antenatal hypoxia, i.e. the need for resuscitation at birth and low pH values in umbilical arterial blood. Placental villous edema was recognized by finding of open spaces within the cytoplasm of intervillous cells and in the interstitium of the villi. The percentage of edematous villi was significantly higher in the group of newborns requiring resuscitation. The severity of the edema had a positive correlation with the need for resuscitation at birth and with the arterial blood pH values in the umbilical cord. Placenta praevia and maternal toxicosis were associated with high percentage of edematous villi. It is suggested that edema fluid interposed a barrier to gas exchange between mother and fetus. The capillaries were blocked by compression leading to reduction in blood flow through the villi. These abnormalities, if widespread, may reduce gas exchange. It is suggested that hypoxia could partly be prevented by preventing the development of placental villous edema.
Subject(s)
Chorionic Villi/pathology , Edema/complications , Fetal Hypoxia/etiology , Female , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Infant, Newborn , Placenta Diseases/complications , Placenta Diseases/pathology , Pregnancy , ResuscitationABSTRACT
The relationship between chorioamnionitis and fetal growth was examined by analysing the data of 299 infants with chorioamnionitis and the data of 296 infants with normal placentas. Six parameters were used for estimation of fetal growth: birth weight, length, head circumference, ponderal index, the ratio of length to head circumference and gestational age. Chorioamnionitis was identified, when at least 10 neutrophils per microscopic high-power field were present in the plate of placenta. There was no significant difference between the two groups at full term infants. The comparison could not be made under 37 weeks of gestation. It was concluded that chorioamnionitis probably did not impair particularly the fetal growth.
Subject(s)
Birth Weight , Chorioamnionitis/physiopathology , Embryonic and Fetal Development , Infant, Premature , Female , Gestational Age , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , PregnancyABSTRACT
Cultures for aerobic bacteria were prepared from 353 placentas. Specimens were taken from the chorion after removing the amnion. The specimens were immersed into Stuart transport medium. Microscopic examination of the placenta and cultures from the throat and ear of newborns were also done. The rate of positive bacterial cultures was 16%. Chorioamnionitis was found in 15%. The proportion of chorioamnionitis caused by aerobic bacteria was 44%. The rate of positive bacterial cultures from the placenta in the group of newborns with clinical signs of intrauterine infection was 63%. Bacteria can be present on the chorionic plate without any histological evidence of chorioamnionitis. Bacteriological examination of the placenta is therefore mandatory when amniotic fluid infection is suspected.
