Subclinical chorioamnionitis as an etiological factor in preterm deliveries

Abstract

Objective: To determine the role of histological chorioamnionitis in preterm deliveries and to study its fetomaternal outcome.Methods: Two hundred women in age group of 21 – 30 years were recruited for the study. Among these, 100 cases with gestational age ≥ 28 and < 37 weeks were taken as cases and 100 women with gestational age > 37 weeks as controls. Histopathologic examination of placenta was carried out after delivery in both the groups to look for evidence of chorioamnionitis or funisitis. Fetal outcome and maternal outcome was then noted and analysed. Results: In cases, 49% subjects had evidence of histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) in their placenta and 26% subjects in controls had HCA (p=0.0007). The rates of neonatal complications were significantly higher in subjects with HCA both in cases as well as controls. Severe and high grade of histological chorioamnionitis was further associated with poor neonatal outcome. There was no significant difference between the maternal outcome of cases and controls.Conclusion: Histological chorioamnionitis was significantly more prevalent in preterm deliveries and Neonates of patients with evidence of histologic chorioamnionitis are at higher risk for developing various neonatal complications.