Chorioamnionitis and neurodevelopmental outcome in very preterm infants from 2007 to 2017-a population-based study.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The study compares neurodevelopmental outcome at 24 months corrected age of very preterm infants exposed to chorioamnionitis and controls. Peripartal parameters which may influence outcome are also investigated. METHODS: In this observational population-based study, very preterm infants born between 2007 and 2017 were eligible (n = 466) and included if a histological placental examination and a complete neurodevelopmental assessment (Bayley Scale of Infant Development II or III) (n = 168) were performed. Secondary analyses were calculated to identify peripartal factors that significantly influence mental and psychomotor outcome. RESULTS: Included infants showed a mean MDI of 91.2 (SD = 20.7) and a mean PDI of 99.4 (SD = 14.8). Infants with (n = 71) and without (n = 97) chorioamnionitis did not statistically differ either with mean MDI (91.8 vs. 90.3 points; p = 0.29) or mean PDI (98.3 vs. 100.9 points; p = 0.81), even after controlling for gestational age, mean APGAR scores and administration of antenatal steroids. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia was identified as the most influential factor for both MDI (p = .024) and PDI (p = .004). CONCLUSION: We could not find an effect of chorioamnionitis on neurodevelopmental outcome of very preterm infants over an eleven-year period. Analysis shows that postnatal factors have higher impacts than does chorioamnionitis.