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Updated: May 19, 2026
08:50
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
Chorioamnionitis as a risk factor for necrotizing enterocolitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Jasper V Been1, Sanne Lievense, Luc J I Zimmermann
1Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
The Journal of Pediatrics
|August 28, 2012
Summary
Antenatal inflammation, particularly with fetal involvement, is linked to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Further research is needed to understand mechanisms and develop interventions for better infant intestinal health.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal research
- Perinatal medicine
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious condition affecting premature infants.
- Antenatal inflammation is a suspected contributing factor to NEC development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize evidence on the association between antenatal inflammation and NEC.
- To quantify the strength of this association through meta-analysis.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of multiple databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane, ISI Web of Knowledge).
- Inclusion of human studies in English reporting antenatal inflammation indicators and NEC.
- Meta-analysis of studies on histological chorioamnionitis (HC) and NEC, HC with fetal involvement and NEC, and clinical chorioamnionitis and NEC.
Main Results:
- Clinical chorioamnionitis showed a significant association with NEC (OR 1.24).
- Histological chorioamnionitis (HC) alone was not significantly associated with NEC (OR 1.39).
- Histological chorioamnionitis with fetal involvement demonstrated a strong association with NEC (OR 3.29).
Conclusions:
- Evidence supports a role for antenatal inflammation in NEC.
- Further investigation into mechanisms and interventions is crucial for improving infant intestinal outcomes.
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