<unk>  is an inflammatory condition of pregnancy affecting the uterus. It is a bacterial infection of the amniotic sac and the surrounding amniotic fluid.<unk>  is extremely dangerous to both the mother and fetus and is the most common cause of premature labor.<unk>  may be classified into several subtypes based on the presentation of the patient, the type of infiltrating cells, anatomical regions infiltrated by neutrophils (stage), and the intensity of inflammation (grade).<unk>  is an inflammatory condition of fetal membranes which is usually caused by infectious etiology. The opaque appearance of fetal membranes is a characteristic gross pathologic finding of<unk> . neutrophilic infiltration of the amniotic cavity and/or chorionic plate is the characteristic microscopic finding of<unk> .<unk>  may be caused by either bacterial, fungal, or viral microorganisms.<unk>  must be differentiated from other conditions that cause maternal fever, abdominal pain, or maternal/fetal tachycardia such as epidural-related fever, extrauterine infections, and noninfectious conditions characterized by abdominal pain. Epidural-related fever should be considered in patients with epidural anesthesia who have low grade fever without maternal/fetal tachycardia during the intrapartum period. Extrauterine infections should be considered in patients with fever and abdominal pain. And lastly, noninfectious conditions such as placental abruption should be considered in patients with abdominal pain in the absence of fever. The prevalence of<unk>  was estimated to be approximately 4,000 cases per 100,000 individuals worldwide.<unk>  more commonly affects individuals < 18 years of age. Gestational age is also a strong predictor of<unk>  with increased prevalence in people who delivered between 21 and 24 weeks of gestation. Male infants are more commonly affected than females.<unk>  usually affects individuals of Hispanics and Asian/Pacific Islanders. Common risk factors in the development of<unk>  include preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), prematurity, nulliparity, prolonged labor and rupture of membranes, multiple digital vaginal examinations, meconium stained amniotic fluid, internal fetal monitoring, epidural anesthesia, immunocompromised state, maternal behavioral conditions, and infections. Clinical findings associated with<unk>  include maternal fever, uterine tenderness, purulent/foul-smelling amniotic fluid, maternal/fetal tachycardia. Common fetal complications of<unk>  include preterm birth, neonatal sepsis, neurologic complications, respiratory complications. Common maternal complications of<unk>  include maternal sepsis, infections, and labor-related complications (e.g., cesarean section, postpartum hemorrhage, etc.). There is no single diagnostic study of choice for the diagnosis of<unk> , but<unk>  can be diagnosed based on the clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and/or histopathologic evaluation. The diagnosis of clinical<unk>  is solely based on clinical features include maternal fever, uterine tenderness, maternal/fetal tachycardia, and foul-smelling/purulent amniotic fluid. And the gold standard (test) for the diagnosis of<unk>  is a microbiological culture of the amniotic fluid. Common physical examination findings of<unk>  include fever, abdominal pain, uterine tenderness, tachycardia, and foul-smelling vaginal discharge. Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of<unk>  include maternal leukocytosis, left shift or elevated band count, amniotic fluid findings (e.g., positive amniotic fluid microbiological culture results, bacteria or white blood cells on gram stain, decreased glucose level, elevated IL-6 level, etc.), and histologic findings such as neutrophilic infiltration of chorioamniotic membranes. There are no ECG findings associated with<unk> . There are no x-ray findings associated with<unk> . There are no ultrasound findings associated with<unk> . However, an ultrasound may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of<unk> , which include postpartum hemorrhage, pelvic abscesses, endomyometritis, intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, respiratory distress syndrome, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. There are no CT scan findings associated with<unk> . However, a CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of<unk> , which include pelvic infections and abscesses, adrenal abscesses, and subphrenic abscess. There are no MRI findings associated with<unk> . However, an MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of<unk> , which include spontaneous preterm delivery, white matter injury (WMI), and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). Magnetic resonance spectroscopy(MRS) may be helpful for the detection of neuroinflammation during histologic<unk> . Furthermore, it may suggest a poor neurodevelopmental outcome (e.g. motor development, cognitive development, etc.) in these infants. There are no other diagnostic studies associated with<unk> . Antimicrobial therapy is indicated among patients with<unk> .  The preferred regimen is a combination of ampicillin and gentamicin.  Supportive therapy, such as antipyretics, may also be used. Surgical intervention is not recommended for the management of<unk> . Effective measures for the primary prevention of<unk>  include induction of labor after 34 weeks of gestation and administration of prophylactic antimicrobial therapy in the presence of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). There are no established measures for the secondary prevention of<unk> .
Chorioamnionitis
Preterm labour
Preterm labor
Chondritis
Instillation abortion
Placenta previa
Puerperal fever
First trimester bleeding