Infant Chorioamnionitis
Infant chorioamnionitis is an inflammation of the fetal membrane that happens due to a bacterial infection. Many times this infection begins within the mother’s urogenital tract. Unfortunately, it eventually works its way to the child and infects the fetal membrane. This can become a serious problem for both the child and the mother. A doctor should handle this as soon as possible because it can lead to sepsis and blood clots.
The Cause of Infant Chorioamnionitis
The biggest cause of infant chorioamnionitis is a maternal infection that spreads to the child. Normally, the infection will begin within the mother’s vaginal area. The bacteria have the potential to cause a serious infection. Some of the most common maternal infections that can cause this condition to occur include group B streptococci and E. coli. If you’re a mother and are experiencing some symptoms, you should report any signs to your doctor as soon as possible. A fast response can often treat the problem. Treat these viruses quickly so that they don’t have the opportunity to materialize into anything more serious.
In general, when it comes to increased risk factors to the mother, some of these include:
- First pregnancy
- Long and stressful labor
- The mother is under 21 years old.
- Excessive monitoring of the fetal or uterine area
How Do They Treat This Condition?
Because of this condition’s extreme danger, doctors will usually treat it by delivering the child as quickly as possible. There are cases where the doctor will opt for surgery. For example, if the child has an infection in the pleural area, a severe abdominal infection, or a subcutaneous or brain abscess, they may prescribe surgery. In many cases, a doctor will prescribe antibiotics to the mother to hopefully get the infection under control.
How It Works
Under most circumstances, if a doctor gives the mother antibiotics right away, they can catch the infection before it spreads to the infant. Also, the child most likely won’t suffer any long-term side effects of a birth disorder. Fast response matters because this condition could quickly become sepsis or meningitis. In other cases, your child could have a birth injury where they experience a severe respiratory disorder. Another danger is that baby chorioamnionitis could increase their risk of developing cerebral palsy – even as much as two- or up to 12-fold.
With this health condition, there are serious disorders that you need to respond to as quickly as possible to get the best results. In general, the mother won’t have any outward symptoms indicating that anything has gone wrong. However, having a maternal fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit could indicate that there is a problem. Doctors will sometimes conduct a screening to protect the mother and child from this condition. This screening will test the mother’s white blood cell counts, ferritin levels, Alpha1-protein measurement, and levels of C-reactive proteins. In doing this, they can determine if the baby is at risk. If your child was born with infant chorioamnionitis, you could be eligible for financial support. Discuss your options today.