title: Chorioamnionitis, lung function and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in prematurely born infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether prematurely born infants exposed to chorioamnionitis compared to those not exposed have poorer lung function and are more likely to develop severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Results were analysed from consecutive infants born at <33 weeks gestation with placental histology results and lung function measurement results on days 2 and/or 7 after birth and/or at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary neonatal intensive care unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  120 infants with a median gestational age of 29 (range 23-32) weeks were studied, 76 (63%) developed BPD and 41 (34%) had been exposed to chorioamnionitis and/or funisitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Chorioamnionitis was diagnosed histologically.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lung function was assessed by measurement of lung volume and compliance and resistance of the respiratory system. If the infants remained oxygen dependent beyond 28 days, they were diagnosed at 36 weeks PMA to have mild BPD (no longer oxygen dependent), moderate BPD (required less than 30% oxygen) or severe BPD (required more than 30% oxygen and/or positive pressure support).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences were found in the lung function results between the chorioamnionitis and non-chorioamnionitis groups at any postnatal age. There was no significant relationship between chorioamnionitis and the occurrence or severity of BPD. Regression analysis demonstrated BPD was significantly related only to birth weight, gestational age and use of surfactant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In prematurely born infants, routinely exposed to antenatal steroids and postnatal surfactant, chorioamnionitis was not associated with worse lung function or more severe BPD.
authors.affiliation: Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology, MRC and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, King’s College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prendergast
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: May
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Broughton
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pollina
authors.forename: Anthony D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Milner
authors.forename: Gerrard F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Rafferty
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Greenough
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D010920:Placenta / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants