[Chorioamnionitis and perinatal infection in neonates].

The authors investigated the relationship between histologically confirmed chorioamnionitis and the development of adnatal infection in the neonate. From a total of 4,144 deliveries during the investigation period-January 1, 1988 to December 31, 1989-252 placentas of neonates after pathological deliveries were examined. Chorioamnionitis was recorded in 28.6%, i.e. in 72 placentas inflammatory changes were found. Adnatal infections of neonates with chorioamnionitis were detected in 20.8%, i.e. 15 neonates. On the other hand, in the group of neonates where no inflammatory changes of the placenta were present adnatal infections were recorded in 8 infants, i.e. 4.4% (p = 0.00004). The mortality rate from adnatal infections in the group of neonates with chorioamnionitis was 4.16%. In the group of neonates without chorioamnionitis no death due to adnatal infection was recorded (p = 0.00000). Chorioamnionitis is thus associated with a significantly higher incidence of clinical adnatal infection in neonates and mortality due to this infection.