Frontiers in Pediatrics (Apr 2014)

Clinical Dilemma of Positive Histologic Chorioamnionitis in Term Newborn

  • Alain eCuna,
  • Laleh eHakima,
  • Yun-An eTseng,
  • Bianca eFornier,
  • Shahidul eIslam,
  • Maria Lyn eQuintos-Alagheband,
  • Poonam eKhullar,
  • Barry eWeinberger,
  • Nazeeh eHanna

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2014.00027
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2

Abstract

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Background: Although histologic chorioamnionitis (HCA) is known to be associated with poor outcomes in preterm infants, its clinical significance among term infants is not clearly known.Objectives: To investigate the utility of HCA in determining early onset clinical sepsis (EOCS) among term newborns.Methods: The incidence of HCA and EOCS in term infants born during 2008-2009 was evaluated in a single-center retrospective study (n = 3417). The predictive value of HCA for determining EOCS in term infants admitted to the NICU for suspected sepsis (n = 388) was quantified. Outcome of otherwise healthy term infants in the nursery with HCA was also investigated.Results: Overall, 11% of term infants with HCA also had EOCS. HCA was associated with increased risk for EOCS (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.6-4.2, p Conclusions: Although HCA in term infants is associated with EOCS, it didn’t improve the ability of C-reactive protein and immature to total neutrophil ratio to predict EOCS. Routine placental examination may not contribute to the diagnosis of EOCS in term infants.

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