Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026
Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Published on: November 20, 2015
Neurodevelopmental outcome of very-low-birth-weight infants with chorioamnionitis
Shu-Chi Mu1, Cheng-Hui Lin, Tseng-Chen Sung
1National Yang-Ming University, Shin-Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital.
Insights
Histologic chorioamnionitis (CAM) in very-low-birthweight infants did not lead to lower developmental scores. These infants showed no significant difference in Bayley MDI or PDI scores at 24 months compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Perinatal Medicine
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Chorioamnionitis (CAM) is a significant cause of preterm labor.
- CAM is linked to adverse perinatal outcomes in preterm infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if placental CAM impacts developmental outcomes in very-low-birthweight (VLBW) infants.
- To compare Bayley developmental index scores at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months corrected age between VLBW infants with and without CAM.
Main Methods:
- Prospective follow-up of 95 VLBW infants (54 with CAM, 41 without).
- Histologic placental analysis for CAM confirmation.
- Assessment of neonatal characteristics and morbidities.
- Bayley Scales of Infant Development administered for two years.
Main Results:
- CAM was present in 56.8% of placentas.
- VLBW infants with CAM had shorter gestational age, lower Cesarean rates, more maternal steroid use, and higher incidence of PPROM.
- CAM group showed increased rates of BPD, mechanical ventilation, and intubation.
- No significant difference in Bayley MDI or PDI scores or incidence of scores below 85 between groups at any age.
Conclusions:
- Histologic chorioamnionitis in VLBW infants is not associated with impaired neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- VLBW infants exposed to CAM did not exhibit lower MDI or PDI scores up to 24 months corrected age.
Background:
Chorioamnionitis (CAM) is one of the main causes of preterm labor and has been associated with an adverse perinatal outcome in preterm infants.
Objective:
The specific aim of our study was to evaluate whether there is significant difference in the Bayley developmental index scores at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of corrected age for very-low-birthweight (birth body weight <1500 gm, VLBW) infants with or without placental CAM.
Methods:
Ninety-five cases (54 in CAM and 41 in non-CAM groups) available for the study were all VLBW infants with adequate histologic placental material for analysis. Neonatal characteristics and morbidities were recorded. The infants were followed up prospectively with Bayley Scales of Infant Development in the Neonatal Follow-up Clinic for 2 years.
Results:
We found that 56.8% of placentas presented a picture of CAM. In comparison of the neonatal characteristics, VLBW infants with CAM had shorter gestational age (27.9 +/- 2.8 vs. 30.0 +/- 3.7 weeks, p = 0.003), lower Cesarean delivery rate (48.1% vs. 73.2%, p = 0.011), more maternal steroid use (44.4% vs. 12.2%, p = 0.004) and higher incidence of preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM, 37.0% vs. 12.2%, p = 0.009). In comparison of neonatal outcomes, the CAM group had higher incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD, 40.7% vs. 19.5%, p = 0.044), more mechanical ventilation (87.0% vs. 27/41, p = 0.023) and intubation (68.5% vs. 46.3%, p = 0.049), and more median days of ventilation (23.1 +/- 29.1 vs. 7.8. +/- 13.7 days, p = 0.001). As for the follow-up, at any test age, either the mean (Mental Development Index (MDI) / (Psychomotor Development Index (PDI) scores of Bayley test or the incidence of score below 85, there was no significant difference in both groups.
Conclusions:
The VLBW infants with histologic chorioamnionitis were not associated with an increased risk of lower MDI or PDI scores at the corrected ages of 6, 12, 18 and 24 months compared with the non-CAM control group.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
01:30Neurulation
01:07Teratogenicity