Antibiotic regimens for management of intra-amniotic infection
It would seem prudent to start antibiotics to women with clinical intra-amniotic infection because the consequences of not doing so are potentially dangerous.
RHL Commentary by Yusuf L
1. EVIDENCE SUMMARY
Two trials were included in the review. One trial compared an intrapartum regimen of ampicillin plus gentamycin for reducing postpartum infection to the same regimen postpartum (1). Immediate intrapartum treatment seemed to be more effective in reducing neonatal sepsis (relative risk; RR: 0.08, 95% confidential interval CI: 0.00–1.44) and neonatal pneumonia (RR: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.01 to 2.92). The second trial compared a regimen of ampicillin plus gentamycin with ampicillin plus gentamycin plus clindamycin. With both regimens there were similar numbers of newborn complications and fewer cases of postpartum endometritis. However, given that only two trials involving 181 women were eligible for inclusion, the confidence intervals are wide and the evidence base is quite weak.
The review seems to have been conducted satisfactorily.
2. RELEVANCE TO UNDER-RESOURCED SETTINGS
2.1. Magnitude of the problem
Intra-amniotic infection is a serious complication of pregnancy. It can lead to postpartum endometritis as well as systemic infection. Clinical and subclinical infections contribute to a sizeable proportion of preterm labour cases. In a series of patients admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of preterm labour 10% had positive bacteriological culture (2). Among term patients the prevalence rate of subclinical infection was estimated around 1–5% (3).
2.2 Applicability of the results
The two trials included in the review were conducted in the U.S.A, where access to laboratory investigations and appropriate antimicrobial regimen are likely to be better than low- and middle-income countries. However, the paucity of sufficient data makes the issue of applicability of the results of the review less relevant.
2.3. Implementation of the intervention
While the evidence base is not strong, it would seem prudent to start antibiotics to women with clinical intra-amniotic infection because the consequences of not doing so are potentially dangerous. Since most infections seem to be polymicrobial a combined regimen effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms based on the local flora and resistance patterns is recommended
3. Research
There is a need for randomized controlled trials in low-income countries to evaluate optimal antibiotic regimens.
References
- Gibbs RS, Duff P. Progress in pathogenesis and management of clinical intraamniotic infection.. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 1991;164:1317-1326.
- Yoon BH, Romero R, Moon JB, Shim S-S, Kim M, Kim G, Jun JK. Clinical significance of intra-amniotic inflammation in patients with preterm labor and intact membranes. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2001;5:1130-1136.
- Sweet RL, Gibbs RS. Intraamniotic infections (intrauterine infection in late pregnancy). Infectious Diseases of the Female Genital Tract. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins 1985 .
This document should be cited as: Yusuf L. Antibiotic regimens for management of intra-amniotic infection: RHL commentary (last revised: 31 August 2004). The WHO Reproductive Health Library; Geneva: World Health Organization.