Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentComplicationsPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complications
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Chorioamnionitisoccurs when bacteria infect the organs and membranes surrounding the fetus andamniotic fluidduring pregnancy. It’s estimated that chorioamnionitis affects about 1% to 5% of term deliveries and about one-third ofpreterm deliveries.
This article will provide an overview of chorioamnionitis, including the symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
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What You Need to Know About Giving Birth
Symptoms of Chorioamnionitis
The symptoms of chorioamnionitis can vary and usually include maternal fever. Other signs include:
Risk factors of chorioamnionitis include:
Additional RisksChorioamnionitis is not common and increases the risk of neonatal pneumonia,meningitis,sepsis, and death. Risks to the mother include:Labor interventionsPostpartumuterine atony(failure of the uterus to contract after delivery)Hemorrhage (excessive blood loss)Endometritis (inflammation of the uterine lining)Peritonitis(inflammation of the inner wall of the abdomen and abdominal organs)Sepsis (potentially life-threatening response to an infection)Acute respiratory distress syndrome(a lung disease)
Additional Risks
Chorioamnionitis is not common and increases the risk of neonatal pneumonia,meningitis,sepsis, and death. Risks to the mother include:Labor interventionsPostpartumuterine atony(failure of the uterus to contract after delivery)Hemorrhage (excessive blood loss)Endometritis (inflammation of the uterine lining)Peritonitis(inflammation of the inner wall of the abdomen and abdominal organs)Sepsis (potentially life-threatening response to an infection)Acute respiratory distress syndrome(a lung disease)
Chorioamnionitis is not common and increases the risk of neonatal pneumonia,meningitis,sepsis, and death. Risks to the mother include:
Your healthcare provider may diagnose chorioamnionitis from symptoms alone. Factors used to diagnose chorioamnionitis include maternal fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit at least once and one of two other clinical findings depending on the criteria used.
Classic symptoms of chorioamnionitis used for diagnosis include:
When to Call a Healthcare ProviderChorioamnionitis is a rare but serious pregnancy complication that requires immediate evaluation and treatment. It’s important to call your healthcare provider any time your temperature is at or above 100.4 degrees. Other symptoms include uterine pain, fast heartbeat, pus in cervical drainage, and foul-smelling amniotic fluid drainage.
When to Call a Healthcare Provider
Chorioamnionitis is a rare but serious pregnancy complication that requires immediate evaluation and treatment. It’s important to call your healthcare provider any time your temperature is at or above 100.4 degrees. Other symptoms include uterine pain, fast heartbeat, pus in cervical drainage, and foul-smelling amniotic fluid drainage.
The treatment for chorioamnionitis depends on several factors, including the symptoms, maternal age and health, and the severity of the infection.Antibioticsare started right away and may continue after birth as well.
A combination ofpenicillinand Gentak (gentamicin) is usually used to treat chorioamnionitis. When acesarean delivery(C-section) is required, Cleocin (clindamycin) or Flagyl (metronidazole) is usually added as well.
Bacteria that are most commonly associated with chorioamnionitis include:
Long-term complications for babies may include:
Fortunately, there are ways to lower your risk for chorioamnionitis. It is important to limit the number of vaginal exams for pregnant people because a vaginal exam can introduce bacteria into the amniotic sac.
If a pregnant person’s amniotic sac breaks early before labor has started, antibiotics are sometimes needed to lower the risk of infection. Always call your healthcare provider if you are concerned about any new or ongoing symptoms.
Summary
Chorioamnionitis is an infection and inflammation of the placenta, chorion, and amnion during pregnancy. This condition is not common but serious. Possible symptoms include maternal fever, maternal or fetal tachycardia, pelvic soreness, cervical drainage, and foul-smelling amniotic fluid. Chorioamnionitis needs to be treated with antibiotics right away.
A Word From Verywell
Chorioamnionitis is a serious infection, and it is frightening to learn that you may have it. It’s important to remember that early treatment with antibiotics effectively lowers the risk of complications. Any time you have a fever during pregnancy, talk with your healthcare provider to determine if you should be evaluated.
Frequently Asked QuestionsChorioamnionitis is associated with preterm labor. It’s estimated that chorioamnionitis complicates up to one-third of preterm labor cases.Chorioamnionitis is a serious infection that needs to be treated right away. If you have developed a fever, call your healthcare provider. Other symptoms include pelvic pain, fast heartbeat, pus in cervical drainage, and foul-smelling amniotic fluid drainage.
Chorioamnionitis is associated with preterm labor. It’s estimated that chorioamnionitis complicates up to one-third of preterm labor cases.
Chorioamnionitis is a serious infection that needs to be treated right away. If you have developed a fever, call your healthcare provider. Other symptoms include pelvic pain, fast heartbeat, pus in cervical drainage, and foul-smelling amniotic fluid drainage.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kachikis A, Eckert LO, Walker C, et al.Chorioamnionitis: Case definition & guidelines for data collection, analysis, and presentation of immunization safety data.Vaccine. 2019;37(52):7610-7622. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.05.030Stanford Children’s Health.Chorioamnionitis.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Intrapartum management of intraamniotic infection.Johnson CT, Adami RR, Farzin A.Antibiotic therapy for chorioamnionitis to reduce the global burden of associated disease.Front Pharmacol. 2017;8:97. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00097
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kachikis A, Eckert LO, Walker C, et al.Chorioamnionitis: Case definition & guidelines for data collection, analysis, and presentation of immunization safety data.Vaccine. 2019;37(52):7610-7622. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.05.030Stanford Children’s Health.Chorioamnionitis.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Intrapartum management of intraamniotic infection.Johnson CT, Adami RR, Farzin A.Antibiotic therapy for chorioamnionitis to reduce the global burden of associated disease.Front Pharmacol. 2017;8:97. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00097
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Kachikis A, Eckert LO, Walker C, et al.Chorioamnionitis: Case definition & guidelines for data collection, analysis, and presentation of immunization safety data.Vaccine. 2019;37(52):7610-7622. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.05.030Stanford Children’s Health.Chorioamnionitis.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Intrapartum management of intraamniotic infection.Johnson CT, Adami RR, Farzin A.Antibiotic therapy for chorioamnionitis to reduce the global burden of associated disease.Front Pharmacol. 2017;8:97. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00097
Kachikis A, Eckert LO, Walker C, et al.Chorioamnionitis: Case definition & guidelines for data collection, analysis, and presentation of immunization safety data.Vaccine. 2019;37(52):7610-7622. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.05.030
Stanford Children’s Health.Chorioamnionitis.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Intrapartum management of intraamniotic infection.
Johnson CT, Adami RR, Farzin A.Antibiotic therapy for chorioamnionitis to reduce the global burden of associated disease.Front Pharmacol. 2017;8:97. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00097
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