Neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm histological chorioamnionitis.

The role of histological chorioamnionitis in neonatal neurological outcome is not yet fully understood. The present study aimed to assess the neurodevelopmental outcome of preterm babies born after pregnancy complicated by histological chorioamnionitis. Clinical data were prospectively collected for consecutive premature neonates born before 32 weeks of gestation, admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Padua University from January 1998 to December 2001. Placental histology was performed. Outcome at 18 months of corrected age was evaluated by a standardized postal parental questionnaire. Among 104 placentas examined, 41 (39.4%) were diagnosed with histological chorioamnionitis. Reply to the postal questionnaire was available from 76.1% of the families. The relative risk of disability in vision, hearing, speech and motor development was higher in the histological chorioamnionitis than in the non-histological chorioamnionitis group, with statistical significance in speech delay (relative risk 2.37; 95% confidence interval: 1.33-4.22) and hearing loss (relative risk 2.76; 95% confidence interval:1.64-4,64). To our knowledge this is the first report suggesting preterm histological chorioamnionitis as a possible risk factor for hearing loss and speech delay.