Chorioamnionitis is an acute infection and inflammation of the membranes and is commonly caused by a premature rupture of the membranes. This eliminates the protective barrier surrounding the fetus and increases the risk for pathogens to ascend into the uterus. Less commonly, chorioamnionitis can occur in the absence of membrane rupture. Long-term effects of this condition to the neonate include stillbirtw premature birth, sepsis, chronic lung disease, and brain injury or cerebral palsy. The mother can develop postpartum infections and sepsis.