Chorioamnionitis, not epidural analgesia, is associated with maternal fever during labour

Maternal fever is associated with chorioamnionitis and has been linked to labour epidural analgesia (LEA). The purpose of this study was to determine possible associations between LEA and chorioamnionitis, maternal fever, operative delivery rate, and neonatal outcome. Data from 14,073 patients were entered into a database over a two-year period. From this database, 62 nulliparous parturients with clinical chorioamnionitis (amnionitis), but without LEA were identified (Group I). Two other groups who received LEA were matched for parity and gestation: Group II - LEA with concomitant amnionitis (n=50) and, Group III - LEA without concomitant amnionitis (n=201). The diagnosis of chorioamnionitis was confirmed by histologic examination. Results are expressed as mean +/- SD and analyzed at P