Risk factors for maternal intrapartum fever and short-term neonatal outcome

Ayala Maayan-Metzger*, Ram Mazkereth, Adi Shani, Jacob Kuint

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

Our objective was to determine maternal risk factors for developing intrapartum fever during term labor and to evaluate perinatal outcomes for infants exposed to mothers with fever. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 330 mothers and their infants and 330 controls in a single institution. Prolonged labor, nulliparity, maternal disease, and prolonged membrane rupture were found to be the most significant predictors for developing intrapartum fever. Caesarean section and instrumental delivery were more commonly performed. Bacteriuria was present in 10% of the mothers. Babies born to mothers with fever were more likely to have meconium-stained amniotic fluid. More babies in this group were symptomatic (mostly dyspnea) on admission. No cases of neonatal infection were recorded, and no severe morbidity or mortality was present. We concluded that in low-risk asymptomatic intrapartum fever, infection is the least common explanation. Perinatal outcomes may be influenced by medical decisions due to fever onset, such as delivery mode. Short-term outcomes are favorable.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)169-177
Number of pages9
JournalFetal and Pediatric Pathology
Volume25
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jul 2006

Keywords

  • Intrapartum fever
  • Newborn

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Risk factors for maternal intrapartum fever and short-term neonatal outcome'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this