Management of term newborns following maternal intrapartum fever

Abstract

In low-risk women with asymptomatic intrapartum fever, neonatal infection is uncommon, so that aggressive evaluation and management of these infants may not be necessary and should be balanced against the low risk of neonatal sepsis.

The Association of Maternal Intrapartum Subfebrile Temperature and Adverse Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes

“…Our findings of increased risk of early neonatal sepsis may be in contrast to a recent study showing low post-delivery adverse neonatal risks, especially for sepsis, in infants born to mothers with intrapartum fever above 37.8°C. 23 However, the differences may stem from the small study group and different inclusion criteria. Our findings are in accordance with a recent smaller study that examined only term infants of nulliparous women receiving epidural analgesia.…”

Part 13: Neonatal Resuscitation

“…These include increased mortality, 74,75 neonatal seizures, [74][75][76][77][78][79][80] and adverse neurologic states like encephalopathy. [81][82][83][84] Maternal hypothermia in labor has not been shown to be associated with clinically significant adverse neonatal outcomes at the time of birth. [85][86][87][88][89] Although maternal hyperthermia is associated with adverse neonatal outcomes, there is insufficient evidence to make a recommendation on the management of maternal hyperthermia.…”

2020 Korean Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. Part 8. Neonatal resuscitation

“…Maternal hyperthermia during labor is associated with poor prognosis, including increased mortality, convulsions, and encephalopathy in newborns [64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74] ; this is in contrast to maternal hypothermia, which is not associated with a clinically significant poor prognosis in newborns. [75][76][77][78][79] Although maternal hyperthermia is associated with poor prognosis in newborns, there is insufficient evidence for the effect of treatment of maternal hyperthermia on the prognosis of newborns.…”