What Causes Chorioamnionitis?
Chorioamnionitis usually develops when bacteria that are part of the normal vaginal flora “ascend” into the uterine cavity. The amniotic fluid and placenta, as well as the baby, become infected. E. coli, group B streptococci, and anaerobic bacteria are the most common causes of chorioamnionitis, though, E. coli and group B streptococci are also the two most common causes of infection in newborns. The most common risk factors for chorioamnionitis include: • young age (e.g., less than 21 years old); • low socioeconomic status; • first pregnancy; • long labor; • prolonged rupture of the membranes (bag of waters); • rupture of membranes at an early gestational age; • multiple vaginal examinations during labor (only in women with ruptured membranes); • pre-existing infections of the lower genital tract (bacterial vaginosis and group B streptococcal infection); and • internal fetal and uterine monitoring. The more of these risk factors you have, the more likely you are to develop chorioamnio
