Resultados obstétricos asociados al incremento del índice de masa corporal durante el embarazo en el Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile / No disponible

Introducción: Estudios previos muestran que el incremento en la categoría del índice de masa corporal (IMC) se asocia a un mayor riesgo de complicaciones obstétricas. Objetivo: Investigar el impacto que tiene el incremento del IMC durante el embarazo en los resultados obstétricos en el Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo que incluye a embarazadas atendidas en el hospital entre el año 2001 y 2006. Las mujeres con embarazos únicos fueron clasificadas en las distintas categorías de IMC. El incremento del IMC se calculó como la diferencia entre el IMC del inicio y el del final de la gestación. Para comparar las variables categóricas se usó el test exacto de Fisher y para las variables continuas el test de la t para comparación de 2 medias. Resultados: El estudio incluyó a 5.478 mujeres: 568(10,48%) no incrementaron su categoría de IMC y4.910 (89,51%) aumentaron su IMC en 1 o más categorías. El incremento del IMC se asoció a mayor riesgo de preeclampsia (p = 0,004) y operación cesárea (p =0,009) en las pacientes con sobrepeso, no así en las pacientes con normopeso al inicio del embarazo. Las pacientes obesas presentan mayor riesgo de preeclampsia(p = 0,008), diabetes gestacional (p < 0,001), operación cesárea (p < 0,001) e infección posparto (p = 0,009).Conclusión: El incremento en la categoría de IMC se asocia a un aumento del riesgo de complicaciones obstétricas (AU)

Background: Previous studies have shown that an increase in body mass index (BMI) is associated with a greater risk of obstetric complications. Aim: To investigate the effect of an increase in BMI category on obstetric outcomes in Hospital Clínic of the University of Chile. Material and methods: A retrospective study was conducted of women followed-up in the hospital from2001 to 2006. Women with singleton pregnancies were placed in standard BMI categories. Increases in BMI were calculated as the difference between initial BMI and that at delivery. Fisher’s exact test was used to compare categorical variables and the t test between two means was used for continuous variables. Results: This study included 5,478 women: 568(10.48%) had no change in BMI category and 4.910(89.51%) increased their BMI by >= 1 category. An increase in BMI category was associated with higher rates of preeclampsia (p = 0.004) and cesarean delivery(p = 0.009) in overweight women but not in women with a healthy weight at the beginning of pregnancy. Obese women had a higher risk of preeclampsia (p =0.008), gestational diabetes (p < 0.001), cesarean delivery(p < 0.001), and postpartum infection (p = 0.009).Conclusions: An increase in BMI category is associated with a greater risk of obstetric complications (AU)

Desarrollo evolutivo infantil, patología obstétrica y repercusión sociofamiliar en nacidos antes de la semana 29 / Child development, obstetrice abnormalities and social and familial repercussions in infants born at less than 29 weeks’ gestation

Objetivos: Conocer el futuro infantil de nacidoscon edad gestacional inferior a 29 semanas y susimplicaciones obstétricas y sociofamiliares.Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de 28niños, nacidos antes de la semana 29, derivados alPrograma de Atención Temprana del Gobierno deCantabria, entre enero de 2002 y junio de 2006.Resultados: Las causas de prematuridad másfrecuentes de este grupo son: corioamnionitis,desprendimiento prematuro de placenta normoinserta y amenaza de parto pretérmino. Un 28,57% de los niños estudiados presentan una minusvalía: retraso mental grave y parálisis cerebral infantil (37%); retraso mental moderado (24%) y, en los casos restantes, hipoacusia moderada bilateral, alteraciones respiratorias y retraso mental leve. Las principales consecuencias sociales son: la transformación de roles en la familia, la repercusión económica negativa y la gran carga emocional.Conclusiones: Un 28,57% de estos niños presentan una minusvalía documentada; no hay una patología obstétrica determinante, pero las consecuencias sociofamiliares son muy importantes

Objectives: To determine the outcomes of infantsborn at less than 29 weeks’ gestation, obstetricabnormalities, and the social and familialrepercussions of this prematurity.Material and methods: We retrospectively studied28 infants, born at less than 29 weeks’ gestation,referred to the Early Healthcare Program of theCantabrian Government between January 2002 andJune 2006.Results: The main causes of prematurity in thisgroup were chorioamnionitis, placental abruption,and preterm labor. Of the infants studied, 28.57%had a disability. Severe mental retardation andcerebral palsy was found in 37% and moderatemental retardation in 24%. Bilateral hypacusis,respiratory alterations and mild mental retardationwere found in the remainder. The main socialrepercussions were a change in family roles,negative economic effects, and heavy emotionalburden.Conclusions: A total of 28.57% of the infantsstudied had a recognized disability. No predominant obstetric abnormality was identified. However, the social and familial repercussions were substantial (AU)

Análisis de la mortalidad fetal en el Hospital Universitario La Fe: estudio comparativo 1996-2000 frente a 2001-2005 / Analysis of fetal mortality in the Hospital Universitario La Fe: comparison between 1996-2000 vs 2001-2005

Objective: To evaluate fetal deaths in the last 10 years by comparing two time periods and to analyze possible causes and variations of fetal mortality. Material and methods: We examined the fetal death rate between 1996 and 2005. Two groups were compared: group A included fetal deaths occurring in the period 1996-2000 and group B comprised those occurring in the period 2001-2005. Maternal, delivery and fetal characteristics were analyzed. Results: The fetal death rate at our hospital was 6.25 per 1000 births. Fetal death mainly occurred in Spanish mothers aged between 20 and 35 years old. Birth weight was between 500 and 1000 g in 53.4% of deaths and gestational age was less than 28 weeks in 32.5%. Mortality was higher in multiple pregnancies than in single pregnancies. Comparison of the two groups showed no significant differences in fetal death rate but a statistically significant increase (p <0.05) was found in patients aged less than 20 years old (1.2% vs. 6.9%) and foreigners (4.7% vs. 15.5%). There was a nonsignificant increase in fetal mortality in assisted reproductive pregnancies (5.8% vs. 9.2%). The cause of death was unexplained in 20.3% of fetal deaths. The most frequent causes registered were funicular abnormalities (13.3%), chorioamnionitis (8.7%), premature rupture of fetal membranes (8.4%), and abruptio (6.7%). Conclusion: The fetal death rate did not decrease during the periods studied and increased among young women and foreigners (AU)

Objetivo: Evaluar la mortalidad fetal en los últimos 10 años dividiéndola en 2 períodos, y analizar las posibles causas y variaciones de ésta. Material y métodos: Se estudia la tasa de mortalidad fetal (TMF) entre los años 1996 y 2005. Se comparan 2 grupos, el Grupo A con las muertes fetales entre 1996-2000 y el grupo B con los casos entre 2001-2005. Se estudian variables maternas, relacionadas con el parto, y fetales. Resultados: La TMF en nuestro medio fue del 6,25‰ recién nacidos. Principalmente se dio en madres españolas de entre 20 y 35 años. El peso fetal fue, en el 53,4% de los casos, de entre 500-1.500 g y el 32,5% era de edad gestacional < 28 semanas. La mortalidad está incrementada en las gestaciones múltiples respecto a las únicas. Al comparar los 2 grupos no ha habido diferencias significativas en la TMF, pero sí se evidencia un aumento estadísticamente significativo (p < 0,05) de pacientes < 20 años (el 1,2 frente al 6,9%) y extranjeras (el 4,7 frente al 15,5%). Sin embargo, aumenta la mortalidad en gestaciones de reproducción asistida (el 5,8 frente al 9,2%), sin alcanzar significación estadística. La causa de muerte fue, en el 20,3% de los casos, desconocida destacan como causas registradas la patología funicular (13,3%), la corioamnionitis (8,7%), la rotura prematura de membranas pretérmino (8,4%) y el desprendimiento prematuro de la placenta normoinserta (6,7%). Conclusión: No ha disminuido la TMF en los últimos años, aumentando entre gestantes extranjeras y jóvenes (AU)

Corioamnionitis por hongos / Fungal chorioamnionitis

La corioamnionitis candidiásica es un suceso raro que afecta al 0,8% de las embarazadas, pero que se asocia a malos resultados perinatales. No se conoce hoy en día, con exactitud, la etiopatogenia ni los factores implicados en el desarrollo de IIA candidiásica. Al igual que ocurre con las infecciones de causa bacteriana, aún no se dispone de una forma fiable de prevenir, detectar o tratar la IIA candidiásica que causa parto prematuro o aborto tardío. Se presenta un caso clínico de aborto tardío con informe histológico de corioamnionitis por hongos y se revisa la bibliografía en busca de las causas que lo producen, si se puede prevenir y su tratamiento (AU)

Mycotic vulvovaginitis (mostly due to Candida) during pregnancy has a reported incidence of 20%-25%. However, obstetric complications caused by this microorganism are rare, the incidence of chorioamnionitis being 0.8%. Intra-amniotic candidal infections can produce abortion, preterm delivery, rupture of membranes, and chorioamnionitis. We present a case of late spontaneous abortion with a histologic diagnosis of fungal chorioamnionitis and review the literature to identify causes, their possible prevention, and treatment (AU)

Muerte fetal intraútero secundaria a corioamnionitis aguda por Listeria monocytogenes / Intrauterine fetal death due to acute Listeria monocytogenes corioamnionitis

La listeriosis es una infección poco frecuente que muestra una especial predilección por pacientes inmunodeprimidos, así como fetos, neonatos, ancianos y embarazadas. Se presenta un caso de una gestante de 25 semanas que desarrolló una corioamnionitis aguda por Listeria monocytogenes que provocó la muerte fetal intraútero

Listeriosis is an uncommon infection that occurs mainly in immunodepressed individuals, the elderly, fetuses, neonates, and pregnant women. We present the case of a 25-year-old pregnant woman with acute chorioamnionitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes, leading to intrauterine fetal death

Edema agudo de pulmón intraparto debido a transposición corregida de las grandes arterias o L-transposición o doble discordancia / Intrapartum acute lung edema due to corrected trasposition of the great vessels (L-transposition or doublediscordance)

Dentro de las causas de edema agudo de pulmón (EAP) durante el embarazo y parto se encuentran: la tocolisis, la sobrecarga hídrica, las cardiopatías maternas y los estados hipertensivos del embarazo. Se expone un caso de transposición corregida de los grandes vasos o transposición corregida genéticamente o L-transposición (L-TGV) no diagnosticada que se complicó con un EAP en el puerperio inmediato (AU)

Among the causes of acute lung edema during pregnancy and labor are uterolysis, water overload, maternal heart disease, and hypertensive status in pregnancy. We report a case of undiagnosed corrected transposition of the great vessels (congenitally corrected transposition or L-transposition), complicated by acute lung edema in the early puerperium (AU)

Rotura prematura de membrana a término: ¿manejo expectante o activo? / Premature rupture of membranes at term: expectant or active management?

La rotura prematura de membranas a término es un problema frecuente que presenta que presenta la mujer embarazada. Su manejo clínico, expectante o activo, es controvertido. Esta revisión bibliográfica intenta exponer cuál es el manejo conveniente de esta situación clínica, considerando los resultados perinatales y maternales

The rupture of membranes at term is a major obstetric problem in pregnant woman. The clinical management, active of expectant, is controversial. This literature review will try to find which is the safest management of this clinical situation, taking in consideration the neonatal and maternal outcomes

Prevalence, management, and outcomes of preterm prelabour rupture of the membranes of women in Canada.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of preterm prelabour rupture of the membranes (PPROM) at Canadian university-affiliated perinatal referral centres, to assess the different management strategies, and to review neonatal outcomes. METHODS: Twelve Canadian university-affiliated perinatal referral centres provided information on their management of PPROM, and 9 participated in data collection to determine prevalence. All women presenting with PPROM during a 2-week period were observed until delivery, and obstetric and neonatal outcome data were subsequently obtained. The total number of deliveries in each centre was recorded for the same time period. We also determined the incidence of PPROM and the neonatal outcome for all women presenting with PPROM at the Kingston General Hospital from January 1999 to December 2001 by retrospective chart review. RESULTS: In the 9 academic centres, 27 women (1 with a twin pregnancy) presented with PPROM during the 2-week period. There were 1168 deliveries during the same time period, giving a prevalence of PPROM of 2.3%. Overall, 53% of placentas submitted for histopathology after PPROM demonstrated evidence of chorioamnionitis. In the retrospective chart review, we found 153 cases of confirmed PPROM from January 1999 to December 2001,an incidence of 2.8%. Clinical management in all centres was similar for most women who presented with PPROM prior to 34 weeks' gestation. Management after 34 weeks' gestation varied among the 12 centres, ranging from immediate induction of labour to expectant management and induction at a greater gestational age (GA). CONCLUSIONS: The increased neonatal morbidity associated with PPROM appears to be inversely related to GA. Increased risk of chorioamnionitis is related to increased time from PPROM to delivery.

Chorioamnionitis associated with Crohn's disease and azathioprine treatment: a case report.

This paper reports a case of S. constellatus chorioamnionitis in a pregnant Crohn's disease patient who was taking azathioprine. Chorioamnionitis is a major cause of perinatal morbidity. Azathioprine, an immunosuppressive antimetabolite, is widely used to treat inflammatory bowel disease. Streptococcus constellatus is a Gram-positive bacterium that has not previously been associated with chorioamnionitis. A high index of suspicion for chorioamnionitis and unusual pathogens should be maintained in the management of obstetric patients on immunosuppressive agents.

Cervical incompetence and the role of emergency cerclage.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of emergency cerclage for women who present with a dilated external cervical os and bulging or "hour-glassing" membranes. We examined overall experiences at Kingston General Hospital (KGH) from 2000 to 2004 and conducted a literature review for the period January 1, 1995, to December 31, 2004. METHODS: A search for cerclages placed by operators in Kingston revealed 12 pregnancies in the period between 2000 and 2004. We reviewed the charts for these women and for their infants. We conducted a literature review, using the terms "cerclage," "cervical," "emergent or emergency cerclage," "rescue cerclage," and "incompetent cervix," using an OVID interface to access MEDLINE records. We excluded articles in which the diagnosis of cervical incompetence was made using ultrasound, because its predictive value has not been shown in randomized trials. The most recent review of this type was carried out in 1995; since then, an additional 24 articles have been published that met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: The average time between cerclage placement and delivery at KGH was 7 weeks, which allowed for 10 of 13 infants (one twin pregnancy) to be born at 28 weeks or later. Three infants were born weighing under 1 kg; the 10 remaining infants weighed over 1 kg. Histological data are available for 12 placentas of the 13 infants delivered; 7 infants had a histological diagnosis of chorioamnionitis; none of the blood cultures from any of the infants post-delivery revealed septicemia. The literature review identified 638 women. Where reported, the average prolongation of the pregnancy was 7 weeks plus 1 day. This allowed for 60% of infants (range 26% to 80%) to be born after 28 weeks, with an average neonatal survival of over 70% (range 47.2% to 96%). Preterm premature rupture of membranes complicated an average of 29% of pregnancies (range 1% to 58%), and chorioamnionitis was reported in 5% to 80% of pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: The KGH data collected and the data available in the literature suggest that emergency cerclage, under ideal circumstances, can significantly prolong pregnancy and increase the chance of viable pregnancy outcome. However, in counselling women about the potential therapeutic benefit of emergency cerclage, the increased risk of chorioamnionitis and its associated risk of fetal inflammatory brain injury, as well as the risk of extending a pregnancy from pre-viability to severe prematurity, should be discussed. A longer-term follow-up than has been carried out here is required for better elucidation of the effect of chorioamnionitis on those infants in childhood and beyond.

Antenatal steroids may reduce adverse neurological outcome following chorioamnionitis: neurodevelopmental outcome and chorioamnionitis in premature infants.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of antenatal steroid exposure and in utero inflammation on the development of severe intraventricular haemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia and long-term neurological outcome in infants less than 30 completed weeks gestation. METHOD: Infants less than 30 completed weeks gestation from January 1996 to July 2001 were identified from a prospectively managed database. Placental pathology was reviewed for the presence or absence of chorioamnionitis and funisitis. Infants were divided into three groups depending on the degree of exposure to fetal inflammation (no inflammation, chorioamnionitis only and chorioamnionitis and funisitis). Data relating to gestational age, birthweight, sex, antenatal steroid exposure, surfactant treatment, days of positive pressure ventilation and days of oxygen requirement were collected. Cerebral ultrasound studies were examined for evidence of intraventricular or intraparenchymal echodensity and periventricular leukomalacia. Long-term neurological outcome was assessed by neurological examination for cerebral palsy and by Griffiths Mental Developmental Assessment for general developmental quotient. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty infants were identified. The mean gestational age was 27.7 weeks and the mean birthweight 1092 g. Seventy-two per cent of mothers had received a complete course of antenatal steroids. The risk of Grade III intraventricular haemorrhage or intraparenchymal echodensity was associated with exposure to in utero inflammation if a complete course of antenatal steroids had not been received (P = 0.002). This association did not exist if a complete course of antenatal steroids was given (P = 0.62). Fourteen infants had cerebral palsy (7%). The presence of cerebral palsy was also associated with in utero inflammation in the absence of complete antenatal steroid cover (P = 0.03) and not in the presence of complete cover (P = 0.59). The mean general developmental quotient on Griffiths Mental Developmental Assessment at 12 months or 3 years was not affected by exposure to in utero inflammation regardless of antenatal steroid exposure. CONCLUSION: Risk of intraventricular haemorrhage or intraparenchymal echodensity and cerebral palsy was associated with in utero inflammation in the absence of a complete course of antenatal steroids. A complete course of antenatal steroids appeared to extinguish any association between in utero inflammation and adverse neurological outcome.

Antenatal associations with lung maturation and infection.

Chronic clinically unapparent chorioamnionitis is a common antenatal exposure for very preterm infants, and these infants have variable degrees of lung maturation and a high risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Exposure of fetal sheep to intra-amniotic endotoxin or IL-1alpha induces chorioamnionitis and lung injury (decreased alveolarization and microvascular injury), which resolves to a phenotype of striking lung maturation (increased surfactant, improved gas exchange and lung mechanics). The immune responses of the fetus also are suppressed or induced (matured) in time and dose-dependent ways by either chorioamnionitis or antenatal corticosteroids. These experimental observations contribute to explanations of why preterm infants have variable degrees of lung maturation at birth and unpredictably develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia BPD.

The association between early tracheal colonization and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between early tracheal colonization and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study which included 308 inborn neonates admitted to the newborn intensive care unit at the University of Miami Jackson Memorial Medical Center between January 1997 and December 2000 with birthweight 500 to 1000 g, who required mechanical ventilation on the first day of life. Chorioamnionitis was diagnosed by maternal symptoms and histopathopathology. Tracheal cultures were obtained immediately after tracheal intubation. BPD was diagnosed in neonates who had supplemental oxygen requirement for more than 28 days. Pearson's chi(2) and Logistic Regression Analysis were used to evaluate the relationship between chorioamnionitis, positive initial tracheal cultures and BPD, after adjusting for confounding variables. RESULTS: In patients with chorioamnionitis, the incidence of early positive tracheal cultures was 41% compared to 16% in those without chorioamnionitis, (p < 0.00001). In patients with birthweight 700 to 1000 g, a positive early tracheal culture increased the risk of BPD (OR = 2.42, CI 1.05 to 5.62, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Preterm infants exposed to chorioamnionitis have an increased incidence of early tracheal colonization. This early tracheal colonization may predispose them to develop BPD.

Severe fetal placental vascular lesions in term infants with neurologic impairment.

OBJECTIVE: This study tests the hypothesis that placental disease can identify antepartum processes that either progress into the intrapartum period or predispose to intrapartum brain injury. STUDY DESIGN: Lesions that affect large fetal vessels were compared in the placentas of 125 neurologically impaired term infants who were the focus of clinical negligence litigation and 250 consecutive singleton deliveries of >/=36 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: One or more of 4 severe placental fetal vascular lesions (fetal thrombotic vasculopathy, chronic villitis with obliterative fetal vasculopathy, chorioamnionitis with severe fetal vasculitis, and meconium-associated fetal vascular necrosis) were found in 51% of index cases versus 10% of the comparison group ( P <.0001). Prevalence of these lesions in the 64 infants with cerebral palsy was 52% ( P <.0001). CONCLUSION: Severe fetal placental vascular lesions are correlated highly with neurologic impairment and cerebral palsy. Their nature, duration, and anatomic location make them strong candidates for the antepartum processes that place fetuses at risk for brain injury during the intrapartum period.

Septicemia in the first week of life in a Norwegian national cohort of extremely premature infants.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence, causes, predictors, and outcomes of septicemia in the first week of life in a national cohort of extremely premature infants. METHODS: A prospective study of survival of all infants with gestational age of <28 weeks or birth weight of <1000 g who were born in Norway in 1999-2000 was performed. Data on the maternal prenatal history, delivery, and neonatal course, including detailed information on episodes of microbiologically verified septicemia, were collected on predefined forms. Septicemia was reported in 2 groups, ie, episodes diagnosed on the day of delivery (ie, very early-onset septicemia [VEOS]) and episodes diagnosed from day 2 to day 7 of life (ie, early-onset septicemia [EOS]). Logistic regression models were used for the selection of variables for predictor analysis in each group. RESULTS: Of 462 included infants, VEOS occurred for 15 (32.5 per 1000 population) and EOS for 15 (35.5 per 1000 population). The most prevalent bacteria were Escherichia coli in VEOS (n = 9) and staphylococci (coagulase-negative staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus) (n = 15) in EOS. Case fatality rates were 40% and 13%, respectively. Independent predictive factors for VEOS were clinical chorioamnionitis (odds ratio [OR]: 10.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.3-33.4) and high maternal age (OR: 1.2; 95% CI: 1.0-1.3), whereas not receiving systemic antibiotic therapy within 2 days of age (OR: 13.6; 95% CI: 3.7-50.2) and receiving nasal continuous positive airway pressure (n-CPAP) support at 24 hours of age (OR: 9.8; 95% CI: 2.5-38.4) independently predicted septicemia after the first day of life. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas vertically transmitted septicemia was dominated by Gram-negative bacteria, with predictors being exclusively of maternal origin, EOS was dominated by typically nosocomial flora, with n-CPAP treatment at 24 hours of age being a powerful predictor. Early n-CPAP treatment, as opposed to mechanical ventilation, as a powerful predictor of septicemia in the early neonatal period, even with adjustment for early systemic antibiotic treatment, is a new observation among extremely premature infants that warrants additional study.

Clinical characteristics of chronic lung disease without preceding respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: Recently, the incidence of atypical presentation of chronic lung disease (CLD) that develops in infants without a history of preceding respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is increasing. Therefore, the clinical characteristics of CLD without RDS in comparison with CLD with RDS were assessed. METHODS: Prospective cohort analysis was done from 117 very low-birthweight infants who were born in Seoul National University Hospital and survived more than 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). RESULTS: Of the 117 infants analyzed, CLD developed in 44 infants (38%). Among these 44 infants, CLD with RDS developed in 27 infants (23%) and CLD without RDS developed in 17 infants (15%). Each type of CLD was subgrouped according to the presence of chorioamnionitis (CA): RDS(+)CA(+) CLD (n = 8) and RDS(+)CA(-) CLD (n = 19); and RDS(-)CA(+) CLD (n = 12) and RDS(-)CA(-) CLD (n = 5). There were no significant differences in the demographic characteristics between CLD with RDS and CLD without RDS. Chorioamnionitis was significantly more common in CLD without RDS, while patent ductus arteriosus was more common in CLD with RDS. Although the severity of initial respiratory failure was not greater than that of CLD with RDS, CLD without RDS showed a gradually increasing chronic oxygen requirement pattern. Chronic oxygen requirement pattern showed that infants with RDS(+)CA(+)CLD required the highest concentrations of oxygen not only initially but also thereafter until the 28th day of life and 36 weeks PMA. CONCLUSIONS: Although CLD without RDS was still less common than CLD with RDS, it comprised over a third of all cases of CLD in our study. Clinical characteristics and chronic oxygen requirement pattern of CLD without RDS seems to be less severe than those of CLD with RDS. Our data suggest that CLD without RDS may be developed by causes other than initial acute lung injury. Chorioamnionitis may be one of antecedents of CLD without RDS.

Histologic chorioamnionitis: an occult marker of severe pulmonary hypertension in the term newborn.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the presence of histologic chorioamnionitis is associated with the severity of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN) as evidenced by the use of exogenous nitric oxide (iNO), high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV), extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and/or death. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of term neonates > or =37 weeks gestation with PPHN. Placental pathology was reviewed. Primary outcome is the use of iNO. Secondary outcomes include the use of HFOV, ECMO and death. RESULTS: Over 2 years, 29 neonates fulfilled the entry criteria for the study. Interventions included iNO use n=14 (48%), HFOV n=7 (24%) and ECMO n=3 (10%); two neonates died. Histologic chorioamnionitis and/or funisitis was noted in 16 (55%) neonates. The presence of chorioamnionitis and/or funisitis (n=16) versus neither (n=13) was significantly associated with iNO use 11/16 (78%) versus 3/13 (22%) (p=0.02) and HFOV 7/16 (43%) versus 0/13 (0%) (p=0.008) but not to ECMO or death. CONCLUSION: The presence of histologic chorioamnionitis and/or funisitis is associated with more severe PPHN as indicated by the use of iNO as well as an increased requirement for more advanced respiratory support, that is, HFOV. The mechanism/s contributing to these findings are unclear.

Maternal infection and risk of cerebral palsy in term and preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that term and preterm infants exposed to maternal infection at the time of delivery are at increased risk of developing cerebral palsy (CP). STUDY DESIGN: A population-based case-control study was conducted using Washington State birth certificate data linked to hospital discharge data. Cases (688) were children

Benefit of antenatal glucocorticoids according to the cause of very premature birth.

In this observational study performed in a large cohort of very preterm singletons, respiratory outcome was found to be strongly dependent on the cause of premature delivery. Although less apparent in infants born to mothers with chorioamnionitis, exposure to antenatal glucocorticoids remained significantly associated with a decrease in the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome after adjustment for the main cause of premature birth.

Prolonged fetal bradycardia as the presenting clinical sign in Streptococcus agalactiae chorioamnionitis.

Group B Streptococcus remains a leading infectious cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a 37 weeks' gestation infant with severe birth asphyxia, status epilepticus and GBS chorioamnionitis, in which a prolonged fetal bradycardia was the only prenatal clinical sign.