Genesis and significance of so-called asphyxial infiltrates of the placenta

The conventional conception of the cause and formal pathogenesis of so-called "asphyxial infiltrates" of the placenta is presented. Morphological examples are given. Our study included 561 newborn cases. Eighty two cases (14,6%) had such cell infiltrates, and there were 6 cases with phlegmoneous inflammation of the fetal membranes. These morphological findings correlated with the following clinical characteristics: term of birth, weight classes of newborns, Clifford-signs, clinical risks with respect to hypertension, the course of pregnancy and particularly the risk of inflammation. Additional correlates were the clinical statement of hypoxia and acidosis in newborns. We discovered relationships between these cell infiltrates and the Clifford-signs, and to some clinical risks (especially those for inflammation), but not to hypoxia and acidosis of the newborn. Our results show that there are no relations between the conventional "Asphyxial infiltrates" of the placenta and the hypoxia and acidosis observed in newborns.