Pathophysiology of Chorioamnionitis

• about 5 to 10% of
infected babies
develop
Predisposing Factors: pneumonia (lung
infection) or
• young age (e.g., less than 21 years old);
bacteremia
• low socioeconomic status; (however, this is
more common in
• first pregnancy; preterm infants);
• long labor; • less than 1% of
• prolonged rupture of the membranes (bag of waters); term infants and a
slightly higher
• rupture of membranes at an early gestational age; percentage of
preterm infants
• multiple vaginal examinations during labor (only in women with
develop meningitis
ruptured membranes);
(infection of the
• pre-existing infections of the lower genital tract (bacterial vaginosis lining of the brain
and group B streptococcal infection); and and spinal cord);
and
• although death in
term babies is
very unusual, up
Chorioamnionitis usually develops when bacteria that are part of the normal vaginal flora "ascend" into the to 15% of infected
uterine cavity. The amniotic fluid and placenta, as well as the baby, become infected. E. coli, group B preterm infants die
streptococci, and anaerobic bacteria are the most common causes of chorioamnionitis, though, E. coli and because of the
group B streptococci are also the two most common causes of infection in newborns. infection or other
complications
such as
respiratory
distress syndrome
and bleeding into
Chorioamnionitis can lead to serious complications in both the brain.
mother and baby and is usually considered a medical
emergency

Fever in the mother