Intrauterine infection: preterm birth and pulmonary impact

Abstract

Acute chorioamnionitis is the histological hallmark of intrauterine infection and remains today the focus of intense, and increasing, research interest. This interest is underpinned by the association of chorioamnionitis with preterm delivery. Extreme prematurity is the fundamental, unresolved problem in perinatal medicine, has associated high morbidity and mortality, and accounts for a significant proportion of the health expenditure in the developed world. The preterm delivery rate is increasing in Australia, from 6.8% in 1991 to 8.1% in 2005. Advancement in intensive care practice has increased survival of very preterm neonates, and this has meant an increase in diseases that are directly related to prematurity, such as cerebral palsy and neonatal chronic lung disease (CLD).