The Possible Role of Intrauterine Infections in Unexplained Second Trimester Abortions and Macerated Stillbirths: A Study from a Single Center.

J Perinatol. 2004 Jul 15 [Epub ahead of print]

The Possible Role of Intrauterine Infections in Unexplained Second Trimester 
Abortions and Macerated Stillbirths: A Study from a Single Center.

Atay GA, Arsan S, Atasay B, Ensari A, Aysev D.

1Department of Pediatrics (G.A.A, S.A., B.A., D.A.), Ankara University School of 
Medicine.

OBJECTIVE:: To investigate the role of intrauterine infections in unexplained 
second trimester abortions and stillbirths. 

STUDY DESIGN:: Histopathologic and microbiologic evidence of intrauterine infection 
in the placentas, fetal membranes and fetal lung tissues of 18 unexplained second 
trimester abortions and macerated stillbirth cases as well as the placentas and 
fetal membranes of 10 healthy term neonates were investigated in a prospective 
study conducted in Ankara University School of Medicine, Turkey. 

RESULTS:: Histopathologic chorioamnionitis and placental culture positivity rates
in the study and control groups were 64.7 vs 0%. Bacteria were recovered from 90.9%
of placentas and 36.4% of fetal lungs of the cases with histopathologic 
chorioamnionitis. Intrauterine infection was found in 66.7% of the whole study 
group, in 85.7% of the unexplained second trimester abortions, and in 54.5% of 
the macerated stillbirths. 

CONCLUSION:: Intrauterine infection may be an important factor in unexplained 
stillbirths and second trimester abortions in centers where pregnancy follow-ups 
lack evaluation for asymptomatic infection.

Journal of Perinatology advance online publication, 15 July 2004; 
doi:10.1038/sj.jp.7211167

PMID: 15254560 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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