Maternal chorioamnionitis during labor may increase the risk of

Maternal chorioamnionitis during labor may increase the risk of

• A. Seizures
• B. Neonatal respiratory distress
• C. Neonatal jaundice
• D. Cerebral palsy

Answer: (D)

Exposure to infection during labor triggers a fetal inflammatory response that can disrupt brain development. The inflammatory mediators released during maternal chorioamnionitis—such as cytokines that cross into the fetal circulation—can activate microglia and cause white matter injury in the developing brain. This injury, particularly in preterm infants, is a well-recognized pathway to motor and neurodevelopmental problems later on, including cerebral palsy. While neonatal sepsis, respiratory issues, and jaundice can occur with intrauterine infection, the long-term neurodevelopmental consequence most strongly associated with maternal chorioamnionitis is cerebral palsy.

Exposure to infection during labor triggers a fetal inflammatory response that can disrupt brain development. The inflammatory mediators released during maternal chorioamnionitis—such as cytokines that cross into the fetal circulation—can activate microglia and cause white matter injury in the developing brain. This injury, particularly in preterm infants, is a well-recognized pathway to motor and neurodevelopmental problems later on, including cerebral palsy. While neonatal sepsis, respiratory issues, and jaundice can occur with intrauterine infection, the long-term neurodevelopmental consequence most strongly associated with maternal chorioamnionitis is cerebral palsy.