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Chorioamnionitis is inflammation of the fetal membranes (amniochorionic membrane). It most commonly results from an infectious process that has ascended from the vagina up to the uterus. It is frequently associated with premature or prolonged rupture of membranes. The risk of developing chorioamnionitis increases with each vaginal exam that is performed in the final month of pregnancy, including during labor.[3]
The fetal membranes consist of two parts:
Chorioamnionitis is diagnosed clinically in the setting of: [1]
Exclusions:
Chorioamnionitis can be diagnosed from a histologic examination of the fetal membranes.
Infiltration of the chorionic plate by neutrophils is diagnostic of (mild) chorioamnionitis. More severe chorioamnionitis involves subamniotic tissue and may have fetal membrane necrosis and/or abscess formation.
Severe chorioamnionitis may be accompanied by vasculitis of the umbilical vessels[ disambiguation needed] (due to the fetus' inflammatory cells) and, if very severe, funisitis (inflammation of the umbilical cord's connective tissue).
Treatment consists of:
Chorioamnionitis is a risk factor for periventricular leukomalacia and cerebral palsy. [2]
3. Excess Digital Exams Raise Risk of Chorioamnionitis, Ob.Gyn. News, August 15, 1997
4. Centers for disease control and prevention (2002) Prevention of perinatal group B Streptococcal disease: revised guidelines from CDC. MMWR 51:RR-11:1–28