gynecology and obstetrics
Intraamniotic Infection
Introduction
Intraamniotic infection is infection and resulting inflammation of the chorion, amnion, amniotic fluid, placenta, decidua, fetus, or a combination. Infection increases risk of obstetric complications and problems in the fetus and neonate. Symptoms include fever, uterine tenderness, foul-smelling amniotic fluid, purulent cervical discharge, and maternal or fetal tachycardia. Diagnosis is by specific clinical criteria or, for subclinical infection, analysis of amniotic fluid. Treatment includes broad-spectrum antibiotics, antipyretics, and delivery. Intraamniotic infection typically results from an infection that ascends through the genital tract and is often polymicrobial.Listeria monocytogenes, a cause of listeriosis, causes hematogenous intraamniotic infection. 