AMNIOTIC-FLUID ANALYSIS - ITS ROLE IN MATERNAL AND NEONATAL INFECTION

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 51  (1) , 56-62
Abstract
Indirect evidence suggests that amnionitis, in the absence of maternal symptoms, contributes to neonatal morbidity. The incidence is unknown because diagnostic techniques are not available. A quantitative amniotic fluid analysis of bacteria, white blood cells and lactic dehydrogenase levels was performed during labor among 28 patients considered to be at risk for infection. Thirteen of 16 patients with bacterial colony counts > 103/ml subsequently developed maternal infection, had a premature delivery, neonatal sepsis or a combination of these factors. Maternal fever was a late sign in clinical infection and was frequently absent in cases of premature delivery associated with microbiologic evidence of amnionitis. Amniotic fluid analysis may be of value in diagnosing unrecognized amnionitis among patients delivering prematurely and those requiring nonelective cesarean section.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: