Сhorioamnionitis and preterm birth: a retrospective study

Aim - to determine the frequency of clinical (CCA) and subclinical (histological) chorioamnionitis (SCA) in patients with preterm birth (PTB) and to analyze their association with gestational age and pregnancy outcomes, in order to improve early diagnosis, risk stratification, and prevention of PTB associated with intraamniotic inflammation. Materials and methods. This retrospective study included cases of PTB from 2022 to 2024. A total of 15,760 charts of pregnant women were analyzed, from which 562 (3.5%) cases with PTB were identified (out of 562, 210 (37%) pregnant women were diagnosed with SCA). Patients were divided into three groups based on gestational age: the Group 1 (22-27 weeks) - 42 patients, the Group 2 (28-34 weeks) - 187 patients and the Group 3 (35-37 weeks) - 333 patients. The presence of chorioamnionitis was determined based on histological and clinical data. The study analyzed the structure and causes of PTB as well as birth outcomes. Results. A significant association was found between SCA and PTB, particularly in the early gestational group (22-27 weeks), where SCA was present in 73% of cases. Conclusions. SCA is a common and important cause of PTB, especially at earlier gestational ages. It is mainly diagnosed through histological examination of the placenta. A strong association exists between SCA and adverse labor outcomes. A multifactorial approach is required for the prediction and prevention of PTB related to intraamniotic inflammation. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.