The bacteriological environment of preterm infants.
Bacteria were cultured in the intra-uterine environment in 72% of 56 preterm infants studied. Placental tissue yielded the greatest number of positive cultures, with anaerobic organisms accounting for one-quater of these. Bacterial growth was obtained in the specimens of 4 out of 5 infants who died, and in 5 clinically infected babies. The incidence of bacterial infection was not increased by rupture of membranes for more than 18 hours, by amniocentesis or by administration of dexamethasone to the mother.
D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004431:Ear, External / Q000382:microbiology; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000382:microbiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D010920:Placenta / Q000382:microbiology; D013270:Stomach / Q000382:microbiology