Maternal chorioamnionitis during labor increases the risk of which neonatal outcome?

Maternal chorioamnionitis during labor increases the risk of which neonatal outcome?

• A. Seizures
• B. Cerebral palsy
• C. Neonatal jaundice
• D. Pulmonary hypertension

Answer: (B)

Maternal chorioamnionitis can trigger a fetal inflammatory response that injures the developing brain, especially the immature white matter. In preterm infants, this often leads to periventricular leukomalacia, a key brain injury linked to later cerebral palsy. So, while seizures can occur acutely in the newborn and jaundice or pulmonary issues may arise for other reasons, the long-term neurodevelopmental outcome most strongly associated with intrauterine infection is cerebral palsy.

Maternal chorioamnionitis can trigger a fetal inflammatory response that injures the developing brain, especially the immature white matter. In preterm infants, this often leads to periventricular leukomalacia, a key brain injury linked to later cerebral palsy. So, while seizures can occur acutely in the newborn and jaundice or pulmonary issues may arise for other reasons, the long-term neurodevelopmental outcome most strongly associated with intrauterine infection is cerebral palsy.