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Chorioamnionitis is infection of the chorion and amnion, usually occurring near term.

Chorioamnionitis may result from an infection that ascends through the genital tract. Risk factors include premature rupture of membranes and prolonged labor. Consequences of chorioamnionitis include premature rupture of membranes and premature labor, and increased risk of neonatal pneumonia, bacteremia, meningitis, and death.

Diagnosis is suggested by fever occurring late in pregnancy. Fetal heart rate monitoring is required. Fetal heart rate increases during fever but, in the absence of chorioamnionitis, returns to baseline as fever resolves. Fetal tachycardia out of proportion to or in the absence of fever suggests chorioamnionitis.

Treatment is broad-spectrum antibiotics (eg, ampicillin Some Trade Names
OMNIPEN
PRINCIPEN
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plus gentamicin Some Trade Names
GARAMYCIN
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) plus delivery. Risk of chorioamnionitis is decreased by avoiding or minimizing digital pelvic examinations in patients with premature rupture of membranes (see Abnormalities and Complications of Labor and Delivery: Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM)).

Last full review/revision November 2005

Content last modified November 2005