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What is the typical time frame for puerperal pyrexia to occur after childbirth?
Which of the following is a risk factor for puerperal pyrexia?
What is the primary goal of treatment for puerperal pyrexia?
What is the most common symptom of puerperal pyrexia?
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What is the primary diagnostic tool for puerperal pyrexia?
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Which of the following is a complication of puerperal pyrexia?
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What is the primary method of prevention for puerperal pyrexia?
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What is the usual cause of puerperal pyrexia?
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Study Notes
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.
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Description
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.
