Perinatal infections -- Contents -- Chairman's introduction -- Factors in the mother/infant dyad that influence the development of infections before and after birth -- Discussion -- Pathology of the placenta and cord in ascending and in haematogenous infection -- Discussion -- The genesis of amniotic fluid infections -- Discussion -- Consequences of amniotic fluid infection: early neonatal septicaemia -- Discussion -- Perinatal implications of the lower genital tract flora -- Discussion -- Neonatal group B streptococcal infection -- Discussion -- Escherichia coli and group B streptococcal infections in experimental animals -- Discussion -- General discussion I -- Rupture of the membranes in labour -- Maternal and fetal defences against infection -- Trace metals and antimicrobial activity -- Posture and labour -- Natural history of perinatal cytomegaloviral infection -- Discussion -- The effects of parasitic infections in pregnant women -- Discussion -- Prevalence of maternal and neonatal infections in a developing country: possible low-cost preventive measures -- Discussion -- The secretory IgA system in the neonatal period -- Discussion -- General discussion II -- Contrasts between developing and developed countries -- Perinatal infections: the obstetrician's viewpoint -- Discussion -- Infections in neonatal units: prevention is better than cure -- Discussion -- Perinatal infections: prevention of long-term sequelae -- Discussion -- Final general discussion -- Infection and the maternal environment -- Mechanisms of infection or inflammation -- Colonization and infection -- Necrotizing enterocolitis -- Human breast milk -- Risks and benefits of monitoring the fetus -- Nutrition and fetal infection -- Chairman's closing remarks -- Index of contributors -- Subject index.