title: Separation of the umbilical cord--histological findings.
abstract: Even though the separation of the umbilical cord receives a great deal of interest, the process of cord separation has not been reported in the literature. A histological study of the umbilical area was carried out on 25 neonates who died within 7 days of birth (mean age at death 3 days). The umbilical cord itself became dried and mummified. Polymorphonuclear leucocytes infiltrated the areas between the mummifying cord stump and the vital tissues of the abdominal wall, forming a demarcation zone. No other leucocytes were present, and no bacteria were seen in any of the preparations studied.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Zuiderziekenhuis, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Oudesluys-Murphy
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: den Hollander
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*