title: Term histologic chorioamnionitis: a heterogeneous condition.
abstract: A histologic response of histologic chorioamnionitis (HCA) is defined as an intrauterine inflammatory condition characterized by acute granulocyte infiltration into the fetal-maternal or the fetal tissues. Prevalence of HCA is inversely correlated with gestational age, occurring in 50% of preterm birth and in up to 20% of deliveries at term. Regardless of these standard definitions, understanding HCA is challenging as it reflects a heterogeneous condition. A histologic response of HCA from term placentas often does not correspond to a clinical presentation; in this context, the present review aims to analyze main characteristics of this condition, in particular focusing on mechanisms and birth outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Conti
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torricelli
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Voltolini
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vannuccini
authors.affiliation: Robinson Institute, School Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: Vicky L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Clifton
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Carlos Chagas Filho Biophysics Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bloise
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. Electronic address: felice.petraglia@unisi.it.
authors.forename: Felice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Petraglia
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000453:epidemiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D010920:Placenta / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000382:microbiology; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000453:epidemiology; D047929:Term Birth
keywords: Delivery; Histologic chorioamnionitis; Infection/inflammation; Neonatal outcome; Placenta; Term