Antenatal Diagnosis of Chorioamnionitis: A Review of the Potential Role of Fetal and Placental Imaging

Overview

Journal Prenat Diagn

Publisher Wiley

Specialty Gynecology & Obstetrics

Date 2022 Jun 7

PMID 35670265

Authors

Megan Hall

Jana Hutter

Natalie Suff

Carla Avena Zampieri

Rachel M Tribe

Andrew Shennan

Mary Rutherford

Lisa Story

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Chorioamnionitis is present in up to 70% of spontaneous preterm births. It is defined as an acute inflammation of the chorion, with or without involvement of the amnion, and is evidence of a maternal immunological response to infection. A fetal inflammatory response can coexist and is diagnosed on placental histopathology postnatally. Fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS) is associated with poorer fetal and neonatal outcomes. The only antenatal diagnostic test is amniocentesis which carries risks of miscarriage or preterm birth. Imaging of the fetal immune system, in particular the thymus and the spleen, and the placenta may give valuable information antenatally regarding the diagnosis of fetal inflammatory response. While ultrasound is largely limited to structural information, MRI can complement this with functional information that may provide insight into the metabolic activities of the fetal immune system and placenta. This review discusses fetal and placental imaging in pregnancies complicated by chorioamnionitis and their potential future use in achieving non-invasive antenatal diagnosis.

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Antenatal diagnosis of chorioamnionitis: A review of the potential role of fetal and placental imaging.

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