Chorioamnionitis_Flashcards (1)

Question 1

What is chorioamnionitis?

Answer 1

Chorioamnionitis is a potentially life-threatening condition to both mother and foetus, and is considered a medical emergency. It is usually the result of an ascending bacterial infection of the amniotic fluid, membranes, or placenta.

Question 2

How common is chorioamnionitis?

Answer 2

It can affect up to 5% of all pregnancies.

Question 3

What is the major risk factor for chorioamnionitis?

Answer 3

The major risk factor is preterm premature rupture of membranes, which exposes the normally sterile environment of the uterus to potential pathogens. It can also occur when the membranes are still intact.

Question 4

What is the mainstay of initial treatment for chorioamnionitis?

Answer 4

Prompt delivery of the foetus (via cesarean section if necessary) and administration of intravenous antibiotics.

Question 5

summarise Chorioamnionitis

Answer 5

Chorioamnionitis

Chorioamnionitis (which can affect up to 5% of all pregnancies) is a potentially life-threatening condition to both mother and foetus and is therefore considered a medical emergency. It is usually the result of an ascending bacterial infection of the amniotic fluid / membranes / placenta. The major risk factor in this scenario is the preterm premature rupture of membranes (however, it can still occur when the membranes are still intact) which expose the normally sterile environment of the uterus to potential pathogens. Prompt delivery of the foetus (via cesarean section if necessary) and administration of intravenous antibiotics is widely considered the mainstay of initial treatment for this condition.

Question 6

A 23-year-old woman has come to the emergency department. She is 37 weeks pregnant, and is complaining of a temperature and feeling generally unwell. She is seen by the emergency department doctors and sent to the obstetric unit. There, she is found to have a fever of 38ºC and to be tachycardic at 110 bpm. The fetus is found to be tachycardic as well. She says she has had no other symptoms, except having an episode of what she said describes as urinary incontinence 3 weeks ago, and some discharge afterwards. What is the most likely cause of her presenting complaint?

Chlamydia infection
Chorioamnionitis
Gonorrhoea infection
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Urinary tract infection

Answer 6

Chorioamnionitis

You should think chorioamnionitis in women with preterm-PROM with a triad of maternal pyrexia, maternal tachycardia, and fetal tachycardia

This is a typical history of chorioamnionitis- maternal pyrexia, tachycardia, and fetal tachycardia with a background of PPROM that is untreated. While pelvic inflammatory disease and UTI are reasonable differentials, chorioamnionitis is the more likely. This will almost certainly require IV antibiotics and immediate cesarean section

Question 7

buzz words

Answer 7

preterm-PROM with a triad of maternal pyrexia, maternal tachycardia, and fetal tachycardia

emergency department
Fever and feeling generally unwell.
tachycardia
The fetus is found to be tachycardic
PrePROM - premature rupture of membrane - (urinary incontinence 3 weeks ago, and some discharge afterwards)