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A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development
Published on: June 24, 2020
Perinatal bacterial infection: an update
T J Yeagley1, J E Tolosa, V K Bhutani
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia 19016, USA. TJYTJY@POL.NET
Insights
Prompt management of perinatal infections, including bacterial infections of the uterus and amniotic fluid, improves outcomes. Early diagnosis and team-based care are key to preventing complications and potential premature delivery.
Area of Science:
- Perinatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Perinatal infections pose significant risks to both mother and fetus.
- Bacterial infections can affect the uterus, placenta, membranes, amniotic fluid, and fetus near birth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current trends in the evaluation and management of perinatal bacterial infections.
- To highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and diagnostic tools.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on risk, incidence, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management.
- Discussion of interventional options: antibiotics, corticosteroids, fetal monitoring, and delivery.
- Emphasis on clinical screening and amniotic fluid evaluation as diagnostic standards.
Main Results:
- Cytokine analysis, such as IL-6, shows increasing importance in diagnosing infection and predicting complications like periventricular leukomalacia.
- A team approach involving obstetricians and pediatricians is crucial for adequate evaluation and management.
- Prompt recognition and management protocols can improve perinatal outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of perinatal infections requires a structured approach and timely interventions.
- Preventive measures and early diagnosis are vital to reduce the incidence of premature delivery due to infection.
Abstract:
This article reviews the current trends in the evaluation and management of bacterial infection involving the uterus, placenta, membranes, amniotic fluid, and fetus occurring near the time of birth. The discussion includes information regarding risk, incidence, pathophysiology, bedside diagnosis, interventional options including antibiotics, corticosteroids, fetal monitoring, and delivery, and possible preventive measures which affect the outcome. The adequate evaluation and management of perinatal infection requires a team approach with obstetricians and pediatricians. Clinical screening is useful in developing the diagnosis, but amniotic fluid evaluation remains the proposed gold standard. The role of cytokines is becoming increasingly important, as is seen in the association of IL-6 with positive amniotic fluid cultures and periventricular leukomalacia. Prompt recognition and management of the pregnancy affected by infection can improve perinatal outcomes. A management protocol is presented to help structure the approach to suspected infection. Premature delivery due to perinatal infection may be preventable.
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