General Information About Chorioamnionitis
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the infection of the membranes (chorion and amnion) surrounding the baby in the womb during pregnancy, and the fluid in which the baby swims (amniotic fluid), by dangerous bacteria.
It usually occurs when harmful bacteria found in the vagina or cervix climb upwards (into the uterus). The risk is very high in pregnant women whose water breaks early (premature rupture of membranes) because microbes can enter more easily through the open canal.
High fever, an excessive increase in heart rate (tachycardia), severe tenderness/pain upon touching the uterus, and a foul-smelling, yellow/greenish vaginal discharge are observed.
The fetal heart rate of the baby in the infected fluid accelerates greatly. If treatment is delayed, it can cause fatal consequences in the baby such as blood poisoning (sepsis), pneumonia, or brain damage (cerebral palsy).
It is diagnosed based on the mother's clinical examination (fever and foul-smelling discharge), elevated levels of white blood cells (leukocytes) and infection markers in the blood, and abnormalities in the baby's heartbeat.
It is considered an emergency as soon as it is diagnosed. Broad-spectrum (strong) antibiotics are immediately started intravenously for the mother. Regardless of the week of pregnancy, an emergency delivery (induction or cesarean) is usually performed to remove the infection from the body and save the baby.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
