title: Chorioamnionitis: implications for the neonate.
abstract: Chorioamnionitis (CA) is characterized by inflammation of the fetal membranes. The incidence increases with decreasing gestational age at birth. When suspected on clinical criteria, pathologic assessment of the placenta should be performed. Although the mechanisms are not entirely clear, CA predisposes to premature birth, neonatal sepsis, and intraventricular hemorrhage. Its role in respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and neurodevelopmental impairment is mixed. Prevention and treatment are ill-defined; antibiotics for preterm premature rupture of membranes reduce the incidence and increase the length of time to delivery. Antibiotics are recommended for infants exposed to CA while laboratory studies are being performed.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Duke University & Duke Clinical Research Institute, 2400 Pratt Street, Durham, NC 27715, USA.
authors: Jessica E
authors: JE
authors: Ericson
authors: Department of Pediatrics, UNC Hospitals, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 101 Manning Drive, CB# 7596, 4th Floor, Chapel Hill, NC 275599-7596, USA. Electronic address: matt_laughon@med.unc.edu.
authors: Matthew M
authors: MM
authors: Laughon
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000188:drug therapy; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D010920:Placenta / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D018805:Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Fetal inflammatory response; Mycoplasma; Neonatal sepsis