Study: Placental Infection Risk Factors Identified

A new study found that pregnant women with placental infection in their first pregnancy are two times more likely to develop it in their second pregnancy. The infection – chorioamnionitis – is known to cause cerebral palsy in newborns.

According to the study, published in December's Obstetrics and Gynecology, authored by Dr. Vanessa Laibl, chorioamnionitis occurs in up to 10 percent of births.

This new study – larger than any performed on the subject before, according to its authors – backs up findings from pervious studies.

When the infection is developed while the mother is pregnant, the baby must immediately be delivered, sometimes prematurely, to prevent serious health problems such as cerebral palsy.

The Study Findings

The study looked at records of more than 28,000 women who gave birth at one hospital. The records indicated that there are likely intrinsic risk factors that subject certain women to a higher risk of infection. Among the conditions linked with infection, and damage to the baby are:

Genetic susceptibility
Premature water breaking
Infection in previous childbirths
The colonization of certain stronger bacteria
Longer labors

Genetic Susceptibility?

“We do believe that there probably is a genetic component that predisposes women to intrauterine infection,” said Dr. Laible. “We also believe that certain women could be colonized with bacteria that are more virulent and more likely to cause infection.”

She added, “Circumstances do play an important role … but once you factor that out, the women who got the infection the first time were still more prone to getting it in their second pregnancy.

“The patient's doctor should be vigilant about infection regardless of her previous pregnancy outcome. That being said, there is no additional treatment to be done for the patient just because she had chorioamnionitis before.”

If you feel your child's cerebral palsy may have been caused by medical malpractice, please contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced medical malpractice attorney who can examine your case thoroughly, answer your questions, and help you recover the compensation you may be entitled to.