Puerperal Pyrexia

Definition

Puerperal pyrexia, also known as puerperal fever, is a febrile illness that occurs in women during the postpartum period, typically within the first 10 days after childbirth.

Causes

• Bacterial infections:
  • Endometritis (infection of the uterine lining)
  • Wound infections (e.g., cesarean section or episiotomy)
  • Septicemia (bloodstream infection)
• Other causes:
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Mastitis (breast infection)
  • Viral infections (e.g., influenza)

Risk Factors

• Cesarean section
• Prolonged labor
• Fetal distress
• Multiple gestations
• Obstructed labor
• Previous history of puerperal pyrexia

Symptoms

• Fever (usually >38°C)
• Chills
• Abdominal pain or tenderness
• Foul-smelling lochia (postpartum bleeding)
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Malaise

Diagnosis

• Physical examination
• Laboratory tests:
  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • Blood cultures
  • Urine culture
  • Endometrial biopsy or culture (if endometritis suspected)
• Imaging studies (e.g., ultrasound or CT scan) if necessary

Treatment

• Antibiotics (broad-spectrum or targeted to specific causative organisms)
• Supportive care:
  • Fluid management
  • Pain management
  • Rest
• Surgical intervention (e.g., drainage of abscesses) if necessary

Complications

• Sepsis
• Endometritis
• Peritonitis
• Abscess formation
• Maternal mortality (rare)

Prevention

• Proper hygiene and sterile technique during delivery and postpartum care
• Antibiotic prophylaxis for high-risk women (e.g., those undergoing cesarean section)
• Early recognition and treatment of puerperal pyrexia to prevent complications

Definition

• Puerperal pyrexia, also known as puerperal fever, is a febrile illness that occurs in women during the postpartum period, typically within the first 10 days after childbirth.

Causes

• Bacterial infections are a major cause of puerperal pyrexia, including endometritis, wound infections, and septicemia.
• Other causes of puerperal pyrexia include urinary tract infections, mastitis, and viral infections.

Risk Factors

• Cesarean section, prolonged labor, fetal distress, multiple gestations, obstructed labor, and previous history of puerperal pyrexia are all risk factors for developing puerperal pyrexia.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of puerperal pyrexia include fever, chills, abdominal pain or tenderness, foul-smelling lochia, headache, fatigue, and malaise.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis of puerperal pyrexia involves physical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging studies.
• Laboratory tests include complete blood count, blood cultures, urine culture, and endometrial biopsy or culture.

Treatment

• Treatment of puerperal pyrexia involves antibiotics, supportive care, and surgical intervention if necessary.
• Antibiotics are used to target the specific causative organism, and supportive care includes fluid management, pain management, and rest.

Complications

• Complications of puerperal pyrexia include sepsis, endometritis, peritonitis, abscess formation, and maternal mortality.

Prevention

• Prevention of puerperal pyrexia involves proper hygiene and sterile technique during delivery and postpartum care, antibiotic prophylaxis for high-risk women, and early recognition and treatment of the condition to prevent complications.