Effect of Placental Histological Chorioamnionitis and Prenatal Steroids on the Nervous System of Preterm Infants

Background: The placenta, as a link between mother and fetus, is closely related to the development of the fetal nervous system. Histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) is common placental inflammation and an important factor in triggering premature delivery. Anabolic steroid (AS) is an important medication to promote fetal lung maturity. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between HCA, AS, and brain injury in premature infants. Objectives: This research aimed to explore the correlation of pathological changes in the placental HCA and the prenatal use of AS with brain injury in preterm infants. Methods: In total, 339 premature infants with a gestational age of under 34 weeks were taken as research subjects, and the placenta was examined by pathology after delivery. The samples were divided into HCA+ AS+, HCA+ AS-, HCA- AS+, and HCA- AS- groups based on the pathological results of the placenta and the prenatal use of steroid hormones. The occurrence of brain injury in preterm infants and the level of inflammatory indicators 2 h after birth were compared between the groups. Results: The incidence of brain injury in preterm infants in the HCA+ group was higher than in the HCA- group (χ2 = 5.713, P < 0.05), and the AS- group than in the AS+ group (χ2 = 4.368, P < 0.05); The incidence of brain injury in the HCA+ AS+, HCA+ AS- and HCA- AS-groups was significantly higher than in the HCA- AS+ group (χ2 = 6.105, P = 0.013; χ2 = 9.086, P = 0.003; χ2 = 4.848, P = 0.047, respectively). The incidence of brain injury in preterm infants was the highest in the group (30%). When the procalcitonin level 2 h after birth was 0.213 ng/mL, sensitivity to predict the occurrence of brain injury in preterm infants was 70.7%, and specificity was 80.2%. Conclusions: Brain damage in premature infants is related to HCA in the mother and insufficient AS treatment before delivery. Brain damage is more likely to occur when both factors exist.