Chorioamnionitis

Kristie ONan

Chorioamnionitis is an acute infection of

the chorion and other membranes of the
placenta and the amniotic fluid. It occurs
in about 2- 4 % of pregnancies, but is
more common with preterm birth.
Patients are usually at a higher risk if
there is a premature rupture of
membranes (PROM). The organisms
usually responsible for chorioamnionitis are those that are normally present in the vagina, including
Group B streptococcus and E. coli.

Signs and Symptoms:

Treatment-usually to

Fever
Maternal fever (>100.4)
Fetal tachycardia (>160/min)
Fundal Tenderness
Maternal Tachycardia (100/min)
Foul smelling amniotic fluid

Diagnosis

prevent maternal and fetal

complications

Based of
symptoms

Antibiotics
Antipyretics
Patient education- elective

induction, the value of

Challenges:

ambulation during labor, and

alternatives to regional

Non-infectious conditions

anesthesia, ensuring

may also have similar signs

Neonate Outcomes

Premature Birth
Feeding difficulty
Respiratory Distress
Difficulty with temperature

regulation
Cerebral Palsy

Death

awareness of the increased

and symptoms (placental

abruption, colitis)
Epidural anesthesia masks
signs of chorioamnionitis

risk of chorioamnionitis

with epidural use

Preventative strategies

such as fundal tenderness

Pain can be masked by

antibiotics if PROM

epidurals or analgesics
Some signs of

Good hygiene

Using less invasive

chorioamnionitis are highly

subjective- like odor
Other infections- like a
UTI or influenza can cause
similar signs and symptoms

strategies for
assessment

Maternal Outcomes

Cesarean Birth
Septic Shock
Referenceshemorrhage
Postpartum
Davidson, M.R., London, M.L., & Ladewig, P.A. (2012). Olds maternal-newborn nursing &
womens health across the lifespan (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice
Hall.
Kim, Chong Jai., (2013). Acute chorioamnionitis and funisitis: definition, pathologic features, and
clinical significance. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. (213) pp.29-52.
Retrieved from http://www.MEDLINE.COM
Marie Hastings-Tolsma, M.H., Bernard, R., Brody, M., Hensley, J., Koschoreck, K., & Patterson, E.
(2013). Chorioamnionitis: Prevention and Management. The American Journal of
Maternal/Child Nursing (38) 4, pp. 206-212. Retrieved from http://www.MEDLINE.COM