Necrotizing funisitis is a very severe form of funisitis in which the tissue that makes-up the umbilical cord starts to die. It is associated with congenital syphilis. It is now rare, and seen almost exclusively in the preterm infant. The majority of affected infants are stillborn, or die within a few weeks of birth.

Funisitis is inflammation of the connective tissue of the umbilical cord, which may cause abortion.

It is typically preceded by vasculitis of the umbilical artery or veins and may be the result of chorioamnionitis.

Chorioamnionitis is a risk factor for periventricular leukomalacia and cerebral palsy.

Chorioamnionitis also known as intra-amniotic infection (IAI) is an inflammation of the fetal membranes (amnion and chorion) due to a bacterial infection. It typically results from bacteria ascending into the uterus from the vagina and is most often associated with prolonged labor. The risk of developing chorioamnionitis increases with each vaginal examination that is performed in the final month of pregnancy, including during labor.