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Updated: Nov 26, 2025
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 and neurodevelopmental outcome in very preterm infants from 2007 to 2017-a population-based study
Karin Konzett1,2,3, David Riedl4, Carmen Stark1
1Department of Pediatrics, Feldkirch Academic Teaching Hospital, Landeskrankenhaus Feldkirch, Feldkirch, Austria.
Insights
Chorioamnionitis did not impact neurodevelopment in very preterm infants over 11 years. Postnatal factors like bronchopulmonary dysplasia significantly influenced outcomes more than the infection itself.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Chorioamnionitis is a known risk factor for adverse neonatal outcomes.
- The impact of chorioamnionitis on long-term neurodevelopment in very preterm infants requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months corrected age in very preterm infants exposed to chorioamnionitis versus controls.
- To identify peripartal factors influencing neurodevelopmental outcomes in this population.
Main Methods:
- Observational, population-based study of very preterm infants born between 2007-2017.
- Inclusion criteria: histological placental examination and neurodevelopmental assessment (Bayley Scales II or III).
- Secondary analyses explored peripartal factors affecting mental and psychomotor outcomes.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference in mean Mental Development Index (MDI) or Psychomotor Development Index (PDI) between infants with and without chorioamnionitis.
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia was identified as the most influential factor for both MDI (p=0.024) and PDI (p=0.004).
- Adjusted analyses controlling for gestational age, APGAR scores, and antenatal steroids did not alter these findings.
Conclusions:
- Chorioamnionitis did not demonstrate a significant effect on the neurodevelopmental outcome of very preterm infants over an eleven-year period.
- Postnatal factors, particularly bronchopulmonary dysplasia, appear to have a greater impact on neurodevelopment than chorioamnionitis.
Aim:
The study compares neurodevelopmental outcome at 24 months corrected age of very preterm infants exposed to chorioamnionitis and controls. Peripartal parameters which may influence outcome are also investigated.
Methods:
In this observational population-based study, very preterm infants born between 2007 and 2017 were eligible (n = 466) and included if a histological placental examination and a complete neurodevelopmental assessment (Bayley Scale of Infant Development II or III) (n = 168) were performed. Secondary analyses were calculated to identify peripartal factors that significantly influence mental and psychomotor outcome.
Results:
Included infants showed a mean MDI of 91.2 (SD = 20.7) and a mean PDI of 99.4 (SD = 14.8). Infants with (n = 71) and without (n = 97) chorioamnionitis did not statistically differ either with mean MDI (91.8 vs. 90.3 points; p = 0.29) or mean PDI (98.3 vs. 100.9 points; p = 0.81), even after controlling for gestational age, mean APGAR scores and administration of antenatal steroids. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia was identified as the most influential factor for both MDI (p = .024) and PDI (p = .004).
Conclusion:
We could not find an effect of chorioamnionitis on neurodevelopmental outcome of very preterm infants over an eleven-year period. Analysis shows that postnatal factors have higher impacts than does chorioamnionitis.
