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Intrauterine growth of infants with chorioamnionitis
L Kovalovszki1, I Veszelovszky, G Benkó
1Department of Pediatrics, Municipal Hospital Szentes, Hungary.
Insights
Chorioamnionitis, an infection of the placenta, likely does not significantly impact fetal growth. This study found no major differences in growth parameters for full-term infants exposed to chorioamnionitis compared to those without.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Neonatal Health
- Perinatal Medicine
Background:
- Chorioamnionitis is a common placental infection.
- Its impact on fetal growth requires further investigation.
- Understanding this relationship is crucial for perinatal care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between chorioamnionitis and fetal growth parameters.
- To compare growth metrics in infants with and without chorioamnionitis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 299 infants with chorioamnionitis and 296 controls.
- Evaluation of six fetal growth parameters: birth weight, length, head circumference, ponderal index, length-to-head circumference ratio, and gestational age.
- Chorioamnionitis diagnosis based on neutrophil infiltration in placental tissue.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in fetal growth parameters were observed between groups for full-term infants.
- Comparisons were not feasible for infants born before 37 weeks of gestation.
Conclusions:
- Chorioamnionitis does not appear to significantly impair fetal growth, particularly in term infants.
- Further research may be needed for preterm infants.
Abstract:
The relationship between chorioamnionitis and fetal growth was examined by analysing the data of 299 infants with chorioamnionitis and the data of 296 infants with normal placentas. Six parameters were used for estimation of fetal growth: birth weight, length, head circumference, ponderal index, the ratio of length to head circumference and gestational age. Chorioamnionitis was identified, when at least 10 neutrophils per microscopic high-power field were present in the plate of placenta. There was no significant difference between the two groups at full term infants. The comparison could not be made under 37 weeks of gestation. It was concluded that chorioamnionitis probably did not impair particularly the fetal growth.