Chorioamnionitis and Neonatal Encephalopathy in Term Infants With Fetal Acidemia: Histopathologic Correlations

Consistent with prior data, the presence of severe fetal acidemia, a low 5-minute Apgar score, and need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation were significantly associated with neonatal encephalopathy. However, the presence of histologic chorioamnionitis had a poor predictive value and did not confer additional risk for the subsequent development of neonatal encephalopathy.