Histologic chorioamnionitis: different histologic features at different gestational ages

AbstractObjective: The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of the different histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) grade in relation to the gestational age in term and preterm delivery.Methods: Three hundred and ninety-two women with singleton pregnancy with spontaneous onset of labor either prematurely or at term, with histologic diagnosis of HCA, were enrolled. Placentas were classified as: deciduitis and/or histologic chorioamnionitis within the membranes (HCA1); amnionitis or inflammation of the chorionic plate without funisitis (HCA2); and histologic chorioamnionitis with funisitis (HCA3). Microbiological culture was performed on both placental and fetal membrane samples.Results: HCA1 was more frequent in women delivering at term than in preterm (p < 0.001). HCA2 was more represented in women delivering between 32 and 36 weeks (p < 0.001) and HCA3 occurred more frequently in those delivering within 32 weeks (p < 0.001). The positive bacterial culture was higher (p = 0.008) in presence of HCA3 ...