Impact of Epidural-Related Maternal Fever on Neonatal Outcomes: A Single-Center Retrospective Case–Control Study Excluding Confirmed Histological Chorioamnionitis
Authors' conclusion
Following exclusion of histological chorioamnionitis, ERMF was associated with prolonged labor and fetal tachycardia but was not associated with adverse short-term neonatal outcomes or impaired long-term development.
Study context
- Population
- Women with singleton term deliveries under labor analgesia, January 2017–July 2023; fetal anomalies or growth restriction excluded186 matched pairs
- Participants
- 186 vs 186
- Exposure
- Intrapartum maternal fever vs no fever under labor analgesia
- Fevern = 186
- Nonfevern = 186reference
- Outcome
- Short-term neonatal outcomes:
- Umbilical artery pH <7.2
- Apgar score <7 at 1 and 5 minutes
- Neonatal ICU admission
Methodological detailssingle-centre, propensity score matching
- Single-centre
- Propensity score matching
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Adverse neonatal outcomes:
- Umbilical artery pH <7.2
- Apgar <7 at 1 and 5 min
- Neonatal ICU admission
- Maternal fever not associated with adverse neonatal outcomes
- Propensity score matched
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Mean, hours
| Outcome | Fever | Nonfever | Difference (hours) (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration from rupture of membranes to delivery | 12.9 (SD 9.4) | 8.7 (SD 10.9) | 4.2 (2.17–6.33) | |
| Duration of first stage of labor | 13.2 (SD 6.7) | 9.6 (SD 6.3) | 3.6 (2.32–4.99) | |
| Duration of labor analgesia | 14.9 (SD 9.6) | 8.6 (SD 6.7) | 6.3 (4.62–8.01) | |
| −50510Difference, hours (linear scale) |
| Outcome | Fever | Nonfever | Absolute risk difference (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fetal tachycardia | 36.0% | 10.7% | 25.3% (12.3–37.2) | |
| −2002040Difference (linear scale) |
Long-term growth and developmental milestones (Maternal and Child Health Handbook questionnaire) · long-term follow-up
- Within the normal range in both groups
Original publication
Impact of Epidural-Related Maternal Fever on Neonatal Outcomes: A Single-Center Retrospective Case–Control Study Excluding Confirmed Histological Chorioamnionitis. Anesth Analg. Published 3 July 2026. doi:10.
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