Alterations in fetal extramedullar hematopoiesis induced by chorioamnitis in second trimester of pregnancy

Purpose: Chorioamnionitis represents a major cause for pregnancy failure in the second trimester. For testing the hypothesis, if there are reactive changes in the fetal liver. Methods: Clinicopathologic data, 39 abortions, caused by chorioamnionitis, were compared with 32 age-matched controls using H&E- and NASD-staining, and “Berliner Blau“ reaction. Total hematopoiesis, erythropoiesis, myelopoiesis and intracytoplasmatic iron of fetal liver were examined. Results: In the study group total hematopoiesis was increased (94.9% vs. 84.4%). The same was seen in erythropoiesis (69.2% vs. 56.2%, p>0,05). Chorioamnioni…