Clinical and laboratory characteristics of chorioamnionitis and
risk of neonatal infection
The association between each clinical or laboratory characteristic and
risk of composite neonatal infection is displayed in table 4. Maternal
intrapartum persisting temperature between 38.0 and 38.9°C, or a single
maternal temperature ≥ 39°C was not associated with an increased risk of
neonatal infection. A first leukocyte count in the second tertile was
associated with an approximately doubled risk of neonatal infection
(adjusted OR 2.14 [95% CI 1.02-4.49]), whereas there was no
association between a first leukocyte count in the third tertile and
risk of neonatal infection. There was no significant association between
highest maximum leukocyte count, or first CRP level, with risk of
neonatal infection. Highest CRP in the third tertile was associated with
an ~4-folded increased risk of neonatal infection
(adjusted OR 4.01 [95% CI 1.66-9.68]). There was a borderline
significant association between fetal tachycardia and neonatal infection
(adjusted OR 1.99 [95% CI 0.99-4.00]). A positive cervical culture
was associated with a doubled risk of neonatal infection (2.22 [95%
CI 1.10-4.48]).