Histological chorioamnionitis and its predictors among mothers with premature rupture of membranes delivering at tertiary hospitals in Uganda: a multicenter cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) is a significant global threat to maternal and fetal health, with an increasing prevalence in resource-limited settings. However, data on its burden and predictors remain scarce in Africa, including Uganda. This study aimed to determine the pre...

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Main Authors: Ibrahim Abdi Abdinasir, Marie Pascaline Sabine Ishimwe, Maxwell Okello, Paul Byaruhanga, Ralph Samson Enyamitoit, Theoneste Hakizimana
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-02-01
Series:BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07245-4
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author Ibrahim Abdi Abdinasir
Marie Pascaline Sabine Ishimwe
Maxwell Okello
Paul Byaruhanga
Ralph Samson Enyamitoit
Theoneste Hakizimana
author_facet Ibrahim Abdi Abdinasir
Marie Pascaline Sabine Ishimwe
Maxwell Okello
Paul Byaruhanga
Ralph Samson Enyamitoit
Theoneste Hakizimana
author_sort Ibrahim Abdi Abdinasir
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) is a significant global threat to maternal and fetal health, with an increasing prevalence in resource-limited settings. However, data on its burden and predictors remain scarce in Africa, including Uganda. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of HCA among mothers with premature rupture of membranes (PROM) at three tertiary hospitals in Uganda. Methods This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted over a three-month period, from July to October 2023, at three tertiary hospitals in Uganda. A total of 106 women diagnosed with PROM were consecutively enrolled. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that captured routine history-taking and physical examinations. Key information gathered included the history of liquor drainage, clinical signs of chorioamnionitis (fever, uterine tenderness, and foul-smelling liquor), labor history, and placental samples obtained after delivery for histopathological analysis. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analyses were performed using STATA version 14.2. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05, with a 95% confidence interval. Results were presented using bar charts, pie charts, and tables. Results Among the 106 participants with PROM, 44 (41.5%) had histological chorioamnionitis. The most common histological finding was neutrophil infiltration in 22 cases (50.0%), followed by funisitis in 13 cases (29.6%). Referral status (aOR = 4.5, 95% CI: 1.511–13.315, p = 0.007) and lack of prenatal care (PNC) attendance (aOR = 9.8, 95% CI: 2.802–14.504, p = 0.000) were independently associated with histological chorioamnionitis. Conclusions and recommendations. The prevalence of HCA in this study was notably higher than previously reported data from Uganda. Neutrophil infiltration was the most frequently observed histological lesion. Patients with PROM who were referred from other health facilities or had not attended PNC were at a higher risk of developing HCA. These findings highlight the critical need for early detection and management of HCA in mothers with PROM, particularly in resource-limited settings. Routine screening for HCA should be implemented for all women presenting with PROM, with special attention to referred cases and those without PNC. Early initiation of treatment should be considered until the diagnosis is definitively ruled out. Further research is needed to explore the underlying causes of HCA to inform targeted preventive measures.
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spelling doaj-art-b53cb73756a349bd9d567ea9f83a58a72025-02-09T12:59:09ZengBMCBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth1471-23932025-02-0125111010.1186/s12884-025-07245-4Histological chorioamnionitis and its predictors among mothers with premature rupture of membranes delivering at tertiary hospitals in Uganda: a multicenter cross-sectional studyIbrahim Abdi Abdinasir0Marie Pascaline Sabine Ishimwe1Maxwell Okello2Paul Byaruhanga3Ralph Samson Enyamitoit4Theoneste Hakizimana5Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kampala International UniversityDepartment of Pediatrics and Child Health, Kampala International UniversityDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kampala International UniversityDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kampala International UniversityDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kampala International UniversityDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kampala International UniversityAbstract Background Histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) is a significant global threat to maternal and fetal health, with an increasing prevalence in resource-limited settings. However, data on its burden and predictors remain scarce in Africa, including Uganda. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of HCA among mothers with premature rupture of membranes (PROM) at three tertiary hospitals in Uganda. Methods This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted over a three-month period, from July to October 2023, at three tertiary hospitals in Uganda. A total of 106 women diagnosed with PROM were consecutively enrolled. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that captured routine history-taking and physical examinations. Key information gathered included the history of liquor drainage, clinical signs of chorioamnionitis (fever, uterine tenderness, and foul-smelling liquor), labor history, and placental samples obtained after delivery for histopathological analysis. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analyses were performed using STATA version 14.2. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05, with a 95% confidence interval. Results were presented using bar charts, pie charts, and tables. Results Among the 106 participants with PROM, 44 (41.5%) had histological chorioamnionitis. The most common histological finding was neutrophil infiltration in 22 cases (50.0%), followed by funisitis in 13 cases (29.6%). Referral status (aOR = 4.5, 95% CI: 1.511–13.315, p = 0.007) and lack of prenatal care (PNC) attendance (aOR = 9.8, 95% CI: 2.802–14.504, p = 0.000) were independently associated with histological chorioamnionitis. Conclusions and recommendations. The prevalence of HCA in this study was notably higher than previously reported data from Uganda. Neutrophil infiltration was the most frequently observed histological lesion. Patients with PROM who were referred from other health facilities or had not attended PNC were at a higher risk of developing HCA. These findings highlight the critical need for early detection and management of HCA in mothers with PROM, particularly in resource-limited settings. Routine screening for HCA should be implemented for all women presenting with PROM, with special attention to referred cases and those without PNC. Early initiation of treatment should be considered until the diagnosis is definitively ruled out. Further research is needed to explore the underlying causes of HCA to inform targeted preventive measures.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07245-4Histological chorioamnionitispredictorsPremature Rupture of MembranesTertiary HospitalsUganda
spellingShingle Ibrahim Abdi Abdinasir
Marie Pascaline Sabine Ishimwe
Maxwell Okello
Paul Byaruhanga
Ralph Samson Enyamitoit
Theoneste Hakizimana
Histological chorioamnionitis and its predictors among mothers with premature rupture of membranes delivering at tertiary hospitals in Uganda: a multicenter cross-sectional study
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Histological chorioamnionitis
predictors
Premature Rupture of Membranes
Tertiary Hospitals
Uganda
title Histological chorioamnionitis and its predictors among mothers with premature rupture of membranes delivering at tertiary hospitals in Uganda: a multicenter cross-sectional study
title_full Histological chorioamnionitis and its predictors among mothers with premature rupture of membranes delivering at tertiary hospitals in Uganda: a multicenter cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Histological chorioamnionitis and its predictors among mothers with premature rupture of membranes delivering at tertiary hospitals in Uganda: a multicenter cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Histological chorioamnionitis and its predictors among mothers with premature rupture of membranes delivering at tertiary hospitals in Uganda: a multicenter cross-sectional study
title_short Histological chorioamnionitis and its predictors among mothers with premature rupture of membranes delivering at tertiary hospitals in Uganda: a multicenter cross-sectional study
title_sort histological chorioamnionitis and its predictors among mothers with premature rupture of membranes delivering at tertiary hospitals in uganda a multicenter cross sectional study
topic Histological chorioamnionitis
predictors
Premature Rupture of Membranes
Tertiary Hospitals
Uganda
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07245-4
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