Study design
Before dexamethasone was injected, blood was drawn for peripheral WBC,
neutrophil, lymphocyte, CRP and PCT. Then the same tests were repeated
at 24, 48 and 72 hours after the injection of the first dose of
dexamethasone. Delivery was performed (induction or
cesarean as appropriate) after 34 0/7 weeks of gestation or after the
development of early signs of intraamniotic infection. All patients
underwent placenta pathologic examination after birth. HCA is diagnosed
in the presence of acute inflammatory changes in any of the tissue
samples (amnion, chorion-decidua, umbilical cord, and chorionic plate),
using previously published criteria[19], which manifests as
neutrophils in the chorion or in the chorion and amnion on the
examination of a membrane roll and chorionic plate of the placenta. Two
independent pathologists reviewed the histology slides of the placentas
for the pregnant women participating in the study. Women confirmed HCA
with the pathological diagnosis of placenta were included into the HCA
group while others into the non-HCA (CON) group. CCA is diagnosed
clinically in accordance with the following signs: fever (≥38°C orally),
vaginal discharge odor, maternal tachycardia (>100 beats
per minute), and fetal tachycardia (>160 beats per minute),
abdominal pain, uterine tenderness, and leukocytosis. The presence of at
least three of these signs has been shown to indicate a strong
probability of chorioamnionitis[20].