Increased Chorioamnionitis in Stillbirths at Extremes of Gestation
Author Information
Author(s): Gordon Adrienne, Lahra Monica, Raynes-Greenow Camille, Jeffery Heather
Primary Institution: Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Hypothesis
Is there an increased incidence of histological chorioamnionitis in stillbirths at extremes of gestation?
Conclusion
The study confirms an increased incidence of histological chorioamnionitis at extremes of gestation in stillbirths.
Supporting Evidence
- The incidence of histopathological chorioamnionitis was found to be 22.6%.
- A fetal inflammatory response was present in 10.1% of stillbirths.
- The absence of a fetal inflammatory response was strongly associated with unexplained antepartum death.
Takeaway
This study found that more stillbirths have a specific type of infection in the placenta when they are born very early or very late.
Methodology
A population-based cohort study using linked data from the New South Wales Midwives Data Collection and the Perinatal Death Database.
Potential Biases
Variability in placental pathology reporting due to different laboratories and pathologists.
Limitations
The study relies on routine data collection, which may limit the detail available and has a time lag in data publication.
Participant Demographics
{"maternal_age":{"under_20":44,"20_to_24":143,"25_to_29":246,"30_to_34":275,"35_to_39":148,"40_and_over":45},"primigravid":{"yes":423,"no":478},"gestational_age":{"20_to_24_weeks":228,"25_to_29_weeks":178,"30_to_36_weeks":259,"37_weeks_and_over":287}}
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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