What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Placental Acute Villitis

What is Acute Villitis of Placenta? (Definition/Background Information)

• Acute Villitis of Placenta is a bacterial infection of the chorionic villi
• The placenta is an organ that connects the developing fetus to the uterine wall. It is a disc shaped reddish brown structure that connects the fetus to the mother through the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord contains two umbilical arteries and one umbilical vein
• The normal function of placenta is to supply nutrients and oxygen to the fetus from the mother’s blood and remove wastes from the fetal body
• The chorion and amnion are placental membranes. The chorion is the membrane that is present between the growing fetus and the mother. The amnion closely covers and protects the developing embryo
• The placenta also contains chorionic villi, which are the structures that sprout from the chorion. Their purpose is to increase the contact between the mother and fetus
• Acute Villitis of Placenta may present with fever, increased heart rate, and tenderness in the uterus. This infection may cause heavy bleeding during labor, preterm delivery, or necessitate a C-section delivery
• With proper and early treatment using antibiotics, the prognosis of Acute Villitis of Placenta is generally good

Who gets Acute Villitis of Placenta? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Acute Villitis of Placenta is present in 5-25% of pregnancies
• Women of underdeveloped countries are more susceptible to this condition, as compared to women living in the developed countries

What are the Risk Factors for Acute Villitis of Placenta? (Predisposing Factors)

Risk factors associated with Acute Villitis of Placenta include:

• Younger women (less than 21 years of age)
• Premature rupture of membranes (water leak)
• Women belonging to lower socioeconomic status with poor access to proper healthcare
• Long labor
• Repeated vaginal examination
• Maternal septicemia (severe systemic infection of mother)

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases one's chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.
Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Acute Villitis of Placenta? (Etiology)

Acute Villitis of Placenta is an infectious condition that is caused by the following bacterium:

• Listeria monocytogenes
• Escherichia coli
• Group B streptococci

Some anaerobic bacteria can also cause the condition.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Acute Villitis of Placenta?

The signs and symptoms associated with Acute Villitis of Placenta (in the mother) include:

• Fever and chills
• Increased heart rate
• Foul-smelling amniotic fluid (amniotic fluid is the fluid that surrounds and protects the baby)
• Uterine tenderness (pain while pressing the uterus)

How is Acute Villitis of Placenta Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of Acute Villitis of Placenta may include:

• Complete physical examination of the mother
• Complete blood count, which may show an increased number of white blood cells
• Examination of the placental membranes under a microscope: It may show the presence of white blood cells (neutrophils) infiltrating the placental membranes, chorionic villi, and blood vessels

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Acute Villitis of Placenta?

Complications due to Acute Villitis of Placenta may include:

Maternal complications:

• Increased chances of Caesarean delivery
• Heavy bleeding during labor
• Bacteremia: Systemic infection of the mother with spread of bacteria in blood

Fetal complications:

• Premature delivery of the baby
• Sepsis: Spread of infection in blood

How is Acute Villitis of Placenta Treated?

Antibiotic therapy is the mainstay of treatment for Acute Villitis of Placenta.

How can Acute Villitis of Placenta be Prevented?

Preventive measures for Acute Villitis of Placenta include:

• All women who test positive for group B streptococcal infection should be provided antibiotic treatment to eradicate the infection
• Repeated and unnecessary vaginal examinations should be avoided during labor
• If membrane rupture occurs early during labor, the patient should be carefully observed for developing signs of infection (if any)

What is the Prognosis of Acute Villitis of Placenta? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

With early and appropriate treatment, the prognosis of Acute Villitis of Placenta is generally very good.

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Acute Villitis of Placenta:

The following DoveMed website link is a useful resource for additional information:

https://www.dovemed.com/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-related-disorders/