Influence of Intrapartum Fever on Pregnancy Outcomes and Its Prevention and Treatment

Abstract

Intra-partum fever usually complicates the delivery process, and its occurrence is often considered synonymous with chorioamnionitis. This inevitably leads to the use of antibiotics for the affected mother. A review of the literature suggests that this approach is not always appropriate. Most cases of intra-partum fever are secondary to non-infectious factors. Both infectious and non-infectious maternal fevers are associated with transient adverse neonatal complications, while maternal fever at delivery is an important risk factor for long-term neonatal developmental outcomes, including encephalopathy, cerebral palsy, and neonatal death. Also prenatal antibiotic exposure increases the risk of developing allergic diseases in children such as asthma and eosinophilic esophagitis. Timing of intrapartum antibiotic administration is very challenging. More research is needed to explore the etiology of intra-partum fever, to discover ways to prevent and control maternal hypothermia, and the proper use of intra-partum antibiotics to reduce unnecessary antibiotic exposure to the fetus. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to review the prenatal and intra-partum factors associated with fever during labor and delivery and to find ways to prevent and treat them to reduce maternal and fetal complications. Effective measures were taken for management to reduce maternal and fetal complications.