LEUKOCYTIC INFILTRATION OF THE UMBILICAL CORD

Leukocytic infiltration was found in 10% of the umbilical cords examined in a preliminary study. The present examination of the cords obtained from 1,000 consecutive deliveries made it possible to correlate the presence or absence of the infiltration with each of a list of maternal and fetal factors. Lymphocytic infiltration of the umbilical cord was most strongly associated with prolonged labor, with a staining of the amniotic fluid by meconium, and with positional abnormalities of the cord. Co