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