A. Berger, A. Witt, N. Haiden, V. Kretzer, G. Heinze, C. Kohlhauser
Microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity at birth is associated with adverse
short-term outcome of preterm infants
Aims: To determine the frequency and clinical significance
of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity at the
time of delivery in preterm infants.
Methods: Prospective cohort study during June 2001 and
January 2002. Preterm infants < 33+6 weeks of gestation
who had amniotic fluid and placental tissue sampled for
culture during cesarean section were included.
Results: Of a total of 80 neonates, 42 had negative culture
results, 22 had growth of Ureaplasma urealyticum,
and 16 had growth of other pathogens. Isolation of Ureaplasma
urealyticum was associated with a decreased
risk of developing hyaline membrane disease after birth
but a more than 20 times increased risk of developing
chronic lung disease. Patients with growth of other
pathogens had a significantly higher mortality than patients
with negative culture results.
Conclusions: Isolation of microorganisms from the amniotic
cavity at birth is associated with an adverse outcome
of the preterm infant. In the light of extremely
small numbers of positive blood cultures in preterm infants
after birth, we consider it reasonable to recommend
routine culturing of amniotic cavity tissues/fluid
obtained during cesarean section in order to increase the
identification rate of pathogens potentially involved in
the pathogenesis of perinatal infections.
Journal of Perinatal Medicine, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 1619-3997
Volume: 31, 03/2003
Pages: 115 - 121
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