Antenatal risk factors for infection and neonatal outcome

Abstract

Introduction: There are a number of conditions which can occur during pregnancy that bring an increased risk for the newborn of developing an infection. These include chorioamnionitis and Premature Rupture of the Membrane (PRM) which can be brought on by vaginal infections of the mother. Chorioamnionitis represents an infection of the chorion and amnion, and PRM represents rupture of the membranes more than 12 hours before the onset of labor. Material and method: Data was retrieved from the neonatal histories of the newborns bom at the University Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics in Skopje. During the period from 18" November 2013 until 15 "" April 2014, data from 122 newborns was collected. Inclusion criteria were: newborns from mothers with known antenatal risk of infection (chorioamnionitis, premature rupture of the membranes or positive vaginal swabs). Results: From the 122 newborns, 13.11% (16) presented with clinical manifestations of infection, with the most common being: pyodermia connatalis 56.25% (9), blepharoconjunctivitis 31.25% (5) and congenital bronchopneumonia 12.5% (2). Increased risk factors showed: Majority of newborns from mothers with positive Group Streptococcus (GBS) vaginal swabs presented with congenital bronchopneumonia, majority of newborns from mothers with PRM presented with pyodermia connatalis and majority of newborns from mothers with positive Candida albicans vaginal swabs presented with blepharoconjuctivitis Newborns from mothers with Chlamydia trachomatis and Ureaplasma urealyticym positive vaginal swabs and chorioamnionitis did not show clinical manifestations of infection within the early neonatal period. Conclusion: It is important for clinicians to diagnose antenatal risk factors for preventing neonatal infections. GBS and Candida infections and also PRM seem to be important factors that contribute to neonatal infection. Although Chlamydia and Ureaplasma infections and chorioamnionitis did not present with neonatal infection, literature data comes later so they also need to be considered. shows their manifestation