What are the signs and symptoms of puerperal sepsis?
|
Puerperal fever is the clinical manifestation of an infection in women after childbirth. Show
This puerperal infection is due to injuries or complications caused to the genital tract during childbirth and, in the past, was one of the main causes of maternal death. Today, postpartum infections are well controlled. The administration of antibiotics has been successful in reducing the frequency and severity of puerperal fever. Provided below is an index with the 8 points we are going to expand on in this article. Contents
DiagnosisThe appearance of fever in the days following delivery is not always indicative of puerperal infection or sepsis. To be considered as such, the following requirements must be met:
In the first 24 hours after the birth of the baby, the temperature must be above 38.5 °C to be considered clinically relevant. The milk surge may also cause the mother's temperature to rise for a few hours, but does not qualify as puerperal sepsis. During the diagnosis of a puerperal infection, it is necessary to identify the source of infection on the one hand, and the causative agent on the other, i.e. the infectious microorganisms. For this, the physician will have to assess the possible intrinsic risk factors of the mother, as well as the risk factors related to childbirth. In addition, he or she will perform a thorough physical examination, including breast and vaginal examination. He will also order any necessary complementary tests: blood tests, blood culture, urine culture, endometrial culture, etc. It is very important to be able to identify the microorganisms causing the infection in order to apply the most appropriate treatment. SymptomsObviously, fever is the main symptom of an infection during the postpartum period. However, there are other manifestations that indicate that something is wrong with women who have just given birth. We will now discuss the possible signs and symptoms of a puerperal infection:
CausesIn general, puerperal infections are the consequence of a lack of hygienic care during labor or the puerperium, although it can also happen that a part of the placenta remains inside the uterus and causes complications. The following are the main causes of puerperal fever: Puerperal endometritisis a bacterial infection found inside the uterus, specifically in the endometrium, where the placenta has been anchored during the 9 months of gestation. In addition to fever, she usually presents with lower abdominal pain, enlarged and painful uterus, continued bleeding and foul-smelling discharge (lochia). Only 15% of the cases are late, debuting from the first week postpartum.Surgical wound infectioneither by episiotomy in vaginal delivery or by the abdominal incision of a cesarean section. In general, it occurs in approximately 5% of deliveries, debuting in the first 7 days after surgery. The microorganisms causing the infection usually come from the skin, such as Staphylococcus Aureus. It is very important to take good care of these wounds to prevent the risk of infection.Puerperal Mastitisconsists of a breast infection due to lactation. The source of infection comes from microorganisms in the infant's mouth or pharynx (streptococci and anaerobes) and less frequently from the skin(Staphylococcus Aureus), so broad antibiotic treatment is necessary. It usually begins 2-3 weeks after the onset of lactation, with a frequency of 2-10% of breastfeeding mothers.Urinary infectionsgenerally due to the multiple catheterizations performed during labor associated with the epidural. They are caused by genital tract bacteria such as Staphylococcus Aureus or Escherichia coli. They appear in the first postpartum days (2-5 days).Other systemic infectionspyelonephritis, cystitis, thrombophlebitis, etc.As we have already indicated, the most frequent microorganisms causing puerperal fever are those found in the vaginal flora, on the skin or in the intestinal flora: Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus Aureus, Escherichia coli, etc. Risk FactorsRisk factors that predispose a woman to infection after childbirth may be intrinsic (related to the woman's medical history) or extrinsic (related to the health care personnel and instruments used during delivery). These are as follows:
It should be noted that not all women with any of these conditions will have a puerperal infection. In order to prevent it, it will be necessary to take extreme hygienic care of the intimate area during pregnancy and after childbirth. TreatmentTreatment of puerperal sepsis should always be carried out under medical supervision. In general, antipyretics and analgesics are prescribed to reduce fever and pain. The administration of antibiotics is then essential to act on the infectious microorganisms. If the specific causative agent is unknown, a broad-spectrum antibiotic such as amoxicillin will be used. Depending on the results of the cultures and the antibiogram, the antibiotic may be modified to cure the infection. On the other hand, it is essential to maintain good intimate hygiene throughout the postpartum period. It is best to wash and disinfect the external genitalia at least 2 or 3 times a day. The most severe cases of puerperal infection require hospitalization of the woman.Therefore, if the symptoms mentioned in this article appear, it is advisable to go to the emergency room as soon as possible. FAQs from usersIs puerperal fever serious?By Lydia Pilar Suárez M.D., M.Sc. (gynecologist). Puerperal fever is defined as the presence of a temperature higher than 38ºC from 24 hours after delivery until six weeks later. In most cases, these infectious processes are limited by the use of antibiotics (in the order of 7-10 days) that limit the situation. In some cases it is necessary to complete the treatment surgically, as in the case of mastitis with an aspiration curettage, or with the drainage of the surgical wound of the cesarean section or the drainage of a breast abscess in the case of mastitis. Is puerperal fever the same as puerperal infection?By Zaira Salvador B.Sc., M.Sc. (embryologist). Usually, both concepts are used synonymously, although it would be more correct to use the terms puerperal infection or sepsis to refer to this condition in women, since puerperal fever is a sign of infection that only refers to the increase in temperature. What nursing care does puerperal sepsis require?By Zaira Salvador B.Sc., M.Sc. (embryologist). After delivery and especially in the event of puerperal infection, it is very important to wash and disinfect the episiotomy or cesarean section wound, as the case may be. Soap should not be applied directly to this area. It is best to use a solution of pharmaceutical disinfectant and pour it over the area. The wound should then be dried with a clean cloth and covered with a new sterile dressing. Suggested for youWe have said that puerperal infection can be a consequence of some complications at the time of delivery. If you want to know this procedure in detail, we recommend you to continue reading here: Childbirth: preparation, types and possible complications. Puerperal mastitis usually appears 2-3 weeks after the onset of lactation. If you are interested in learning more about how to breastfeed your baby and some of the advantages, you can click here: Breastfeeding: What Is the Best Method For My Baby? What is puerperal sepsis complications?Puerperal sepsis is a genital tract infection that can occur from amniotic fluid rupture to six weeks after birth. Maternal complication associated with puerperal sepsis includes prolonged hospital stay, septicemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and death.
What is the management of puerperal sepsis?Puerperal sepsis can be prevented and managed by: Maintaining hygiene and hand washing and following strict infection prevention practices before handling mother. Reducing frequent PV examination during labour. Early identification and judicious use of antibiotics in mothers showing signs of infection.
Which of the following is the most common cause of puerperal sepsis?The most common organisms that cause puerperal sepsis are Escherichia coli, Staphylococci, and Streptococci. Particularly, infections caused by group A Streptococci are widely responsible for severe maternal sepsis and death.
What are the symptoms of puerperal infection and how is it treated?This infection can be recognized by various symptoms such as redness(erythema) of the incision site, fever, lower abdominal pain after giving birth, etc. Oral antibiotics with coverage against streptococci, staphylococci, enteric, and anaerobic organisms are first line in treating perineal infections.
|
