Bacterial Growth in Amniotic Fluid During Labor
Author Information
Author(s): Phillip Pinell, Sebastian Faro, Scott Roberts, Sy Le, Maurizio Maccato, Hunter Hammill
Primary Institution: Baylor College of Medicine
Hypothesis
Does bacterial growth occur in the amniotic fluid of laboring women?
Conclusion
Bacterial species and colony counts increase significantly during labor, but this alone does not lead to chorioamnionitis in most patients.
Supporting Evidence
- 80% of patients had a colony count greater than 102 cfu/cc.
- Only 19% of patients with high bacterial counts developed chorioamnionitis.
- The mean number of bacterial species increased from 0.9 to 1.8 during labor.
Takeaway
When women are in labor, bacteria can grow in the fluid around the baby, but just having more bacteria doesn't mean they will get sick.
Methodology
Amniotic fluid samples were taken from patients requiring an intrauterine pressure catheter during labor, with cultures analyzed for bacterial growth.
Limitations
The study did not explore the dynamic relationship between bacteria and amniotic fluid over time.
Participant Demographics
{"race":{"Black":3,"Hispanic":13,"White":3},"age":{"mean":26.5,"mode":24,"range":"14-40"},"gravidity":{"mean":3.2,"mode":2,"range":"1-9"},"parity":{"mean":1.2,"mode":0,"range":"0-6"}}
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website