Histologic chorioamnionitis, fetal involvement, and antenatal steroids: effects on neonatal outcome in preterm infants

Jasper V. Been, Ingrid G.I.J.G. Rours, René F. Kornelisse, Valéria Lima Passos, Boris W. Kramer, Tom A.J. Schneider, Ronald R. de Krijger, Luc J.I. Zimmermann

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112 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to study the effects of histologic chorioamnionitis (HC) with or without fetal involvement and antenatal steroid (AS) exposure on neonatal outcome in a prospective cohort of preterm infants. Study Design: The clinical characteristics and placental histology were prospectively collected in 301 infants born at a gestational age 32.0 weeks or less in the Erasmus University Medical Center. Results: In univariable analyses, HC without fetal involvement (n = 53) was associated with decreased severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (11% vs 28%; P < .05), whereas HC with fetal involvement infants (n = 68) had more necrotizing enterocolitis (9% vs 2%; P < .05), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (25% vs 12%; P < .05), and neonatal mortality (19% vs 9%; P < .05). In HC without fetal involvement infants, AS reduced the incidences of RDS (43% vs 85%; P < .05) and IVH (5% vs 39%; P < .01). In multivariable analyses, HC without fetal involvement was associated with decreased severe RDS (odds ratio, 0.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.93; P < .05) and increased early-onset sepsis (odds ratio, 2.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-4.83; P < .05). Conclusion: In a prospective cohort of preterm infants, multivariable analyses reveal only a modest association between histologic chorioamnionitis and neonatal outcome.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)587.e1-587.e8
JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume201
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • antenatal steroids
  • chorioamnionitis
  • fetal inflammation
  • neonatal outcome
  • preterm infants

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