Incidence, temporal trends and risk factors of puerperal infection in Mainland China: a meta-analysis of epidemiological studies from recent decade (2010-2020).

BACKGROUND: Puerperal infection (PI) is a severe threat to maternal health. The incidence and risk of PI should be accurately quantified and conveyed for prior decision-making. This study aims to assess the quality of the published literature on the epidemiology of PI, and synthesize them to identify the temporal trends and risk factors of PI occurring in Mainland China. METHODS: This review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021267399). Putting a time frame on 2010 to March 2022, we searched Cochrane library, Embase, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, Web of Science, China biology medicine, China national knowledge infrastructure and Chinese medical current contents, and performed a meta-analysis and meta-regression to pool the incidence of PI and the effects of risk factors on PI. RESULTS: A total of 49 eligible studies with 133,938 participants from 17 provinces were included. The pooled incidence of PI was 4.95% (95%CIs, 4.46-5.43), and there was a statistical association between the incidence of PI following caesarean section and the median year of data collection. Gestational hypertension (OR = 2.14), Gestational diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.82), primipara (OR = 0.81), genital tract inflammation (OR = 2.51), anemia during pregnancy (OR = 2.28), caesarean section (OR = 2.03), episiotomy (OR = 2.64), premature rupture of membrane (OR = 2.54), prolonged labor (OR = 1.32), placenta remnant (OR = 2.59) and postpartum hemorrhage (OR = 2.43) have significant association with PI. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal infection remains a crucial complication during puerperium in Mainland China, which showed a nationwide temporal rising following caesarean section in the past decade. The opportunity to prevent unnecessary PI exists in several simple but necessary measures and it's urgent for clinicians and policymakers to focus joint efforts on promoting the bundle of evidence-based practices.

Effect of sterile vs clean gloves for cervical checks in labor on maternal infection at term: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Intrapartum infection usually warrants immediate delivery and impacts 5-12% of term pregnancies, with the most commonly identified pathogenic organism being of the Ureaplasma genus. When performing cervical examinations during labor, providers in the United States commonly use sterile gloves, although there are no data currently to support that this practice reduces rates of infection. Furthermore, in nearly all other settings of Gynecologic care, aside from surgery in an operating room, nonsterile gloves are used. Even though the uterus could be sterile in normal pregnancies, the provider performing the cervical examination must traverse the milieu of vaginal bacteria in order to reach the cervix to perform the exam, introducing vaginal microbiota into the uterus regardless of the type of glove used. This prospective randomized controlled study examines whether the type of glove used (sterile vs clean) impacts the rates of intrapartum infection in patients receiving cervical examinations during labor or induction of labor at term.. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate if the glove type (sterile vs clean) used for cervical examinations during labor affects the rates of intrapartum and postpartum infection. STUDY DESIGN: This randomized controlled trial assigned eligible and consenting participants to receive cervical examinations during labor with either sterile powder-free polyvinyl chloride examination gloves (current routine practice, control group) or clean powder-free nitrile examination gloves (nonsterile, experimental group). The primary outcome was rates of intrapartum infection (chorioamnionitis). Sample size calculations estimated that 300 participants would be needed with a rate of infection of 10% in the control group and 20% in the experimental group to demonstrate difference between the groups; however, the rates of infection were much lower than expected, at 5.4% and 4.4% in the sterile and clean glove group, respectively. At this point, it was determined futile to continue the study because a sample size of >29,000 participants would be needed, which would not be achievable at a single tertiary care referral center with approximately 3500 deliveries per year. The study was approved by the Eastern Virginia Medical School Institutional Review Board (IRB 21-09-FB-0206), and was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier NCT05603624; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05603624). RESULTS: A total of 163 participants with singleton pregnancies completed the study; 74 (45%) were randomized to the sterile glove group, and 89 (55%) were randomized to the clean glove group. In the sterile glove group, 4 (5.4%) developed intrapartum infection (chorioamnionitis) and 1 (1.3%) developed postpartum infection (endometritis). In the clean glove group, 4 (4.4%) developed intrapartum infection and 2 (2.2%) developed postpartum infection. There was no significant difference in rates of intrapartum infection (P=1.0) or postpartum infection (P=1.0), or combined rates of infection (including both chorioamnionitis and endometritis; P=.99) between the sterile and the clean glove group. When comparing the participants from both groups who had any intrapartum or postpartum infection (n=11) with those who had no infection (n=152), the former were more likely to be nulliparous (P=.01), have lower gravidity (P<.01) and parity (P<.01), have longer times from first cervical examination to delivery (P=.02), have longer times from rupture of membranes to delivery (P=.0001), undergo cesarean delivery (P=.0002), and experience postpartum hemorrhage (P=.001). Although participants who were in labor for a longer time also likely had more cervical examinations, these data could suggest that duration of labor (P=.02) is more closely associated with infectious morbidity compared with the number of cervical examinations (P=.15). CONCLUSION: Using clean gloves for cervical examinations during labor is unlikely to increase risk of infection, and could reduce cost by up to 92.4% at our institution, saving over $25,000 annually.

[Sepsis during pregnancy: Key points in 2022]. / Sepsis et grossesse.

Sepsis is a severe affection, that requires an urgent and specific treatment sequence. Physiological changes occurring during pregnancy make the diagnosis of sepsis more challenging in this setting, with possible delay in treatment initiation, that in turn is responsible for poorer maternal and fetal outcome. This review aims to summarize current knowledge on the diagnosis and treatment of maternal sepsis, as well as persistent knowledge gaps in the field.

Postoperative infections after non-elective cesarean section - a retrospective cohort study of prevalence and risk factors at a single center in Denmark administering prophylactic antibiotics after cord clamping.

BACKGROUND: Mothers giving birth by non-elective cesarean section have considerably higher risk of developing postoperative infection, than mothers giving birth by elective cesarean section. Meta-analyses have shown that the risk of infection is reduced when administering antibiotics at least 30 min prior to skin incision rather than after cord clamping. If given prior to incision, antibiotics are present in the neonatal bloodstream for up to 24 h after delivery, with early exposure to antibiotics potentially disturbing development of the gut microbiome. We aimed to retrospectively assess the prevalence of postoperative infection after non-elective cesarean section at a single labor ward administering antibiotics after cord clamping, additionally investigating risk factors for developing postoperative infections. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we included a total of 2,725 women giving birth by non-elective cesarean section in 2010-2017 with a review of records for prenatal risk factors, labor management, and perinatal outcomes. The primary outcomes were a main composite infection of development of either endometritis, surgical-site infection, or sepsis in conjunction with a relevant antibiotic prescription. Secondary outcomes included infection of unknown focus, mastitis, urinary tract infection, and pneumonia. RESULTS: A total of 88 patients developed a main composite infection (3.2%). These infections subdivide into endometritis (n = 37/2725, 1.4%), surgical-site infection (n = 35/2725, 1.3%) and sepsis (n = 15/2725, 0.6%). We found a high body mass index (aOR = 3.38, 95%CI 1.93-5.92) and intrapartum fever (aOR = 2.26, 95%CI 1.22-4.59) to be independent risk-factors for developing postoperative infection after non-elective cesarean section. Furthermore, we found delivery by a more expedient emergency grade 2 cesarean section (aOR = 0.61 95%CI 0.37-0.998) compared to grade 3 to be a protective factor for developing postoperative infection after non-elective cesarean section. CONCLUSION: In a labor ward administering antibiotics after cord clamping at non-elective cesarean births, we find a low prevalence of main composite infections when compared to estimates from meta-analyses on the topic. We conclude that administration of prophylactic antibiotics after cord clamping appears to result in acceptable rates of postoperative infection and avoids transplacental-transmission of antibiotics to the infant.

Epidemiological characteristics and risk factors of obstetric infection after the Universal Two-Child Policy in North China: a 5-year retrospective study based on 268,311 cases.

BACKGROUND: Obstetrical infection is one of the causes of maternal death and a difficult problem for many clinicians. Changes in the demographic and obstetric background of pregnant women following the Universal Two-Child Policy may have an impact on some fertility phenomena. And with the increase in the number of deliveries, the limited medical resources become more scarce. How will China's health system quickly adapt to the growing needs and expectations for maternal health and ensure the provision of qualified and accessible medical services? In addition, what social support measures should be provided to reduce preventable obstetric complications? Given the relatively low per capita share of medical resources in China, how should China deal with the impact of the Universal Two-Child Policy? Therefore, more studies based on the change of fertility policy are needed. We try to analyze the epidemiological characteristics and risk factors of obstetric infection before and after the Universal Two-Child Policy, with a view to providing reference for the prevention and control of obstetric infection in regions after the change of fertility policy, and also hope to make corresponding contributions to the solution of the above problems through relevant studies. METHODS: The subjects of the survey were 268,311 pregnant women from Hebei Province Maternal Near Miss Surveillance System (HBMNMSS) of Hebei Women and Children's Health Center from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2017. We analyzed the region, time and population distribution characteristics of obstetric infection, compared the epidemiological factors of obstetric infection before and after the Universal Two-Child Policy, and analyzed the relevant risk factors of obstetric infection. RESULTS: The incidence of obstetric infection increased nearly twice after the Universal Two-Child Policy. The incidence of obstetric infection was highest in Chengde (1.9%), a city with a northward geographical distribution, Baoding (1.6%), Cangzhou (1.5%) followed; The higher the hospital grade, the higher the incidence; The incidence of obstetric infections in hospitals at all levels has increased; The age of onset before the Universal Two-Child Policy was (27.82 ± 5.047) years old, and the age after the Universal Two-Child Policy was (28.97 ± 4.880) years old; The incidence of obstetric infections is higher in winter. The rate of abortion-related infection (increased from 0.61 to 1.65%) and the rate of pregnant women with high school education (increased from 0.35 to 0.74%) increased significantly. The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis after the Universal Two-Child Policy showed that anemia (OR = 1.249, 95%CI: 1.071-1.458), chronic hypertension (OR = 1.934, 95%CI: 1.375-2.722), mild preeclampsia (OR = 2.103, 95%CI: 1.323-3.344) and severe preeclampsia (OR = 2.228, 95%CI: 1.703-2.916) were independent risk factors for obstetric infection. Gestational age ≥ 37 weeks was a protective factor. CONCLUSION: After the Universal Two-Child Policy, the prevention and control of obstetric infections should be strengthened, especially for abortion-related infections and elderly maternal with obstetric complications and complication in high-grade hospitals in winter. Educational background is also one of the factors that should be considered in the prevention of obstetric sensation. Prolonging gestational age is helpful to reduce the incidence of obstetric infection.

Planned cesarean section vs planned vaginal delivery among women without formal medical indication for planned cesarean section: A retrospective cohort study of maternal short-term complications.

INTRODUCTION: Rates of delivery by cesarean section have gradually risen in many parts of the world, and it is regarded as a safe surgical procedure with expanded indications. We assessed maternal complications within 6 weeks postpartum after planned cesarean section and after planned vaginal delivery among patients without medical indication for cesarean section. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study based on Swedish national registers and included 714 326 deliveries from 2008 to 2017. The study group consisted of cephalic, singleton, term pregnancies and excluded those with previous cesarean or pregnancy conditions that would qualify for cesarean section. We compared the risks of short-term complications between planned cesarean section and planned vaginal delivery. We obtained adjusted risk ratios (ARRs) using modified Poisson regression models adjusting for maternal age, parity, body mass index, smoking, country of birth, and county. RESULTS: The outcomes studied were infections and thromboembolism. In the planned cesarean section group (n = 22 855), 15% had a postpartum infection compared with 10% in the planned vaginal group (n = 691 471) (ARR 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5-1.6), and 0.08% vs 0.05% had a postpartum pulmonary embolism (ARR 1.7; 95% CI 1.0-2.6). The obtained risk estimates corresponded to "number needed to harm" estimates of 17 and 3448, respectively. When dividing the infections into subgroups, the risk of endometritis (ARR 1.2; 95% CI 1.1-1.3), wound infection (ARR 2.7; 95% CI 2.4-3.0), urinary tract infection (ARR 1.5; 95% CI 1.3-1.7), and mastitis (ARR 2.0; 1.9-2.2) was higher after planned cesarean section. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients without medical indication for planned cesarean section, the risks of short-term maternal complications were higher with planned cesarean section than with planned vaginal delivery.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis to Prevent Obesity-Related Induction Complications in Nulliparae at Term: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Women with obesity are at increased risk of complications during and after labor and delivery, including puerperal infection and cesarean delivery. As labor induction has become increasingly common, it is crucial to find ways to decrease complication rates in this high-risk population. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the effect of prophylactic antibiotics during labor induction of nulliparous women with obesity on the rates of cesarean delivery and puerperal infection and to estimate the parameters needed to calculate the sample size for a larger, multicenter trial. STUDY DESIGN: In this randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial, nulliparous patients with a body mass index of ≥30 kg/m2 were randomized to either prophylactic antibiotics (500 mg azithromycin for 1 dose and 2 g cefazolin every 8 hours for up to 3 doses) or placebo, administered starting at the beginning of labor induction. The exclusion criteria were known fetal anomaly, fetal demise, multifetal gestation, ruptured membranes >12 hours, infection requiring antibiotics at the start of labor induction, and/or allergy to azithromycin or beta-lactam antibiotics. The co-primary outcomes were rates of puerperal infection (composite of chorioamnionitis, endometritis, and/or cesarean delivery wound infection) and cesarean delivery. Participants were followed up for 30 days after delivery, and maternal and neonatal demographic and outcome data were collected. Proportions and 95% confidence limits were calculated for each of these outcomes. RESULTS: From January 2019 to May 2021, 101 patients were randomized in the class III stratum (1 patient who was randomized ultimately did not undergo labor induction). From February 2020 to May 2021, 38 and 47 patients were randomized to class I and II strata, respectively (to assess the effect of obesity class on the outcomes expected to be influenced by antibiotic prophylaxis). In the antibiotics and placebo groups, the rates of cesarean delivery were 29.0% (95% confidence interval, 19.8-38.3) and 39.8% (95% confidence interval, 29.8-49.7), respectively, and puerperal infection occurred in 8.6% (95% confidence interval, 2.9-14.3) and 9.7% (95% confidence interval, 3.7-15.7), respectively. In the subgroup with class III obesity, in the antibiotics and placebo groups, the rates of cesarean delivery were 33.3% (95% confidence interval, 20.4-47.9) and 46.0% (95% confidence interval, 32.2-59.8), respectively, and puerperal infection occurred in 7.8% (95% confidence interval, 0.5-15.2) and 10.0% (95% confidence interval, 1.7-18.3), respectively. Note that this pilot study was not powered to detect differences of this magnitude but rather to estimate parameters. CONCLUSION: The administration of prophylactic antibiotics during labor induction of nulliparous patients with obesity resulted in a 27% lower cesarean delivery rate overall and a 28% lower rate in patients with class III obesity. A larger trial is warranted to evaluate these differences.

A twenty-first century perspective on concepts of modern epidemiology in Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis' work on puerperal sepsis.

We aimed to review Semmelweis's complete work on puerperal sepsis mortality in maternity wards in relation to exposure to cadavers and chlorine handwashing and other factors from the perspective of modern epidemiological methods. We reviewed Semmelweis' complete work and data as published by von Györy 1905 according to current standards. We paid particular attention to Semmelweis's definition of mortality in and of itself, to concepts of modern epidemiology that were already recognizable in Semmelweis's work, and to bias sources. We did several quantitative bias analyses to address selection bias and information bias from outcome measurement error. Semmelweis addressed biases that have become known to modern epidemiology, such as confounding, selection bias and bias from outcome misclassification. Our bias analysis shows that differential loss to follow-up is an unlikely explanation for his results. Bias due to outcome misclassification would only be relevant if misclassification differed between time periods. Confounding by health status was likely but could not be quantitatively addressed. Semmelweis was aware that cause-specific mortality is a function of incidence and prognosis. He reasoned in potential outcome terms to estimate the reduced number of deaths from an intervention. He advanced a hypothesis of clinic overcrowding as a risk factor for puerperal sepsis mortality that turns out to be wrong. Semmelweis' data provide a great pool for illustrating the logic of scientific discovery by use of the numerical method. The explanatory power of his work was strong and Semmelweis was able to refute several previous causal explanations.

Efficacy and safety of prophylactic Bakri balloon tamponade after vaginal delivery in women with low-lying placenta: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Low-lying placenta is a special form of placenta previa and a major cause of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). As an important hemostatic tool, the Bakri balloon is widely used in the prevention and treatment of PPH caused by placenta previa. Few studies have paid attention to the effect of Bakri balloon after vaginal delivery in women with low-lying placenta. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of prophylactic Bakri balloon tamponade (BBT) after vaginal delivery in women with low-lying placenta based on a retrospective cohort study. Methods: Singleton pregnant women with low-lying placenta who had vaginal deliveries at our hospital between January 2015 to December 2020 were enrolled. Women who received prophylactic balloon tamponade immediately after vaginal delivery were defined as the BBT group, while women who underwent routine procedures after vaginal delivery except immediate balloon tamponade were defined as the non-BBT group. The maternal clinical characteristics and outcomes of the two groups were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Results: A total of 118 women with low-lying placenta were included in the study, with 47 in the BBT group and 71 in the non-BBT group. The postpartum bleeding amount was 339.19±102.94 mL at 2 hours and 418.11±90.73 mL at 24 hours in the BBT group, while in the non-BBT group the postpartum bleeding amount was 421.55±106.37 mL at 2 hours and 505.11±94.51 mL at 24 hours, with significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the postpartum length of hospital stay (P=0.085) and the incidence of puerperal infection (P=0.244) between the two groups. Conclusions: Routine use of prophylactic BBT after vaginal delivery can significantly reduce the postpartum bleeding amount in women with low-lying placenta and does not increase the incidence of puerperal infection and the postpartum length of hospital stay.

A systematic review of biomarkers associated with maternal infection in pregnant and postpartum women.

BACKGROUND: Serum biomarkers are commonly used to support the diagnosis of infection in non-pregnant patients whose clinical presentation suggests infection. The utility of serum biomarkers for infection in pregnant and postpartum women is uncertain. SEARCH STRATEGY: PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and SCOPUS were searched from inception to February 2020. SELECTION CRITERIA: Full-text manuscripts in English were included if they reported the measurement of maternal serum biomarkers-and included a control group-to identify infection in pregnant and postpartum women. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: two authors independently screened manuscripts, extracted data, and assessed methodologic quality. MAIN RESULTS: Interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1, tumor necrosis factor-α, calgranulin B, neopterin, and interferon-γ inducible protein 10 reliably indicated infection. Intercellular adhesion molecule 1, monocyte chemotactic and activating factor, soluble IL-6 receptor, and IL-8 were not useful markers in pregnant and postpartum women. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that certain biomarkers have diagnostic value when maternal infection is suspected, but also confirms limitations in this population.

Características relacionadas à ocorrência de infecção puerperal em mulheres submetidas ao parto cesáreo / Characteristics related to the occurrence of puerperal infection in women submitted to cesarrel delivery

Objetivo: Este artigo de revisão sistemática tem como objetivo analisar as principais características relacionadas à infeção puerperal em mulheres submetidas ao parto cesáreo. Fonte dos dados: Foi realizada busca nas bases de dados on-line Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS) e PubMed. Seleção dos estudos: Selecionaram-se artigos publicados nos últimos 11 anos (2010-2021), totalizando 12 artigos analisados. Coleta de dados: Realizou-se a busca dos artigos a partir dos descritores infecção puerperal, mortalidade materna, cesárea, fatores de risco em inglês e português. Em seguida à adequação aos critérios de inclusão (artigos em inglês, português e espanhol, com publicação nos últimos 11 anos, realizados em humanos) e exclusão (artigos duplicados, revisão de literatura, estudos de caso e dissertações), a análise dos títulos e dos resumos dos artigos encontrados permitiu a exclusão daqueles que se afastavam do tema em estudo. Síntese dos dados: Dentre os fatores sociodemográficos, destacam-se mulheres nos extremos de idade, negras, residentes na zona rural, com baixo nível econômico e escolar, primíparas e tabagistas. Em relação aos fatores clínicos, obesidade, HIV, diabetes mellitus, doenças cardiovasculares, hipertensão arterial, pré-eclâmpsia e eclâmpsia, anemia e infecções geniturinárias apresentaram-se como fatores de risco para infecção puerperal. Fatores obstétricos também foram avaliados, identificando-se como variáveis importantes o parto cesáreo, rotura prematura de membranas, tempo de membrana rota, trabalho de parto maior que 12 horas, parto prematuro e trabalho de parto induzido, hemorragia pós-parto, transfusão prévia e mecônio em líquido amniótico. Por fim, as características assistenciais trazem o baixo número de consultas de pré-natal e número de toques vaginais antes e após a ruptura de membranas como variáveis de risco. Conclusão: Muitos dos fatores identificados são passíveis de controle, e a sua reversão contribui para a redução dos índices de infecção puerperal e, consequentemente, de mortalidade materna.(AU)

Objective: This systematic review article aims to analyze the main characteristics related to puerperal infection in women undergoing cesarean delivery. Source of data: A search was performed in the online databases Virtual Health Library (VHL) and Pub- Med. Selection of studies: Articles published in the last 11 years were selected, totaling 12 analyzed articles. Data collection: Articles were searched based on the keywords puerperal infection, maternal mortality, cesarean section, risk factors in English and Portuguese. Following the adaptation to the inclusion criteria (articles in English, Portuguese and Spanish, publication in the last 11 years, carried out in humans) and exclusion (duplicates, literature review, case studies and dissertations), the analysis of the titles and abstracts of the found articles allowed the exclusion of those who departed from the topic under study. Summary of the findings: Among the sociodemographic factors, women of extreme age, blacks, residents in the rural area, with low economic and educational status, primiparous women and smokers, stand out. Regarding clinical factors, obesity, HIV, Diabetes Mellitus, Cardiovascular Diseases, Hypertension, Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia, Anemia and genitourinary infections were risk factors for puerperal infection. Obstetric factors were also evaluated, identifying as important variables cesarean delivery, premature rupture of membranes, ruptured membrane time, labor longer than 12 hours, premature labor and induced labor, postpartum hemorrhage, previous transfusion and meconium in amniotic fluid. Finally, the care characteristics bring the low number of prenatal consultations, the number of vaginal touches before and after rupture of membranes as risk variables. Conclusion: Many of the identified factors are possible to control and their reversion contributes to the reduction of puerperal infection rates and consequently maternal mortality.(AU)

Early recognition and management of sepsis during pregnancy and puerperium / 中华围产医学杂志

Sepsis and septic shock are obstetric emergencies, which bring clinical issues for obstetricians to pay attention to, such as early identification and emergency intervention before transferring the patients to intensive care. Physiological changes during pregnancy and puerperium result in difficulty in identifying the clinical features of sepsis. Simple bedside screening tools can be used for early identification and screening for possible sepsis. If initial sepsis screening is positive with suspected or evidence of infection, regardless of the presence of fever, further evaluation of organ damage is required for the diagnosis of sepsis. Bundle therapy should be initiated within 1 h after the identification of sepsis: For pregnant women or puerpera with suspected or confirmed sepsis, bacterial culture (blood, urine, respiratory tract, and other body fluids) and serum lactate level detection should be conducted promptly, moreover, empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics given within 1 h are recommended; For patients with sepsis complicated by hypotension or organ hypoperfusion, it is recommended to administer 1-2 L crystal solution as soon as possible for liquid resuscitation; For those with persistent hypotension and/or organ hypoperfusion despite fluid resuscitation, vasopressors are recommended to maintain mean arterial pressure ≥65 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), with norepinephrine as the first-line vasopressor. When sepsis is suspected or confirmed, the focus of infection should be actively sought to effectively control the source. Termination of pregnancy should be considered individually and comprehensively on the basis of obstetric indications, gestational age, and maternal and fetal conditions, but not depend on sepsis alone. If intrauterine infection is confirmed, pregnancy should be terminated immediately. Cesarean delivery usually requires general anesthesia for pregnant women with sepsis and intraspinal anesthesia is relatively contraindicated. The diagnosis and treatment of sepsis in pregnancy and puerperium should be individualized in accordance with the corresponding guidelines.

Fascitis necrotizante por Enterococcus gallinarum en una puérpera. Presentación de un caso / Necrotizing fasciitis due to Enterococcus gallinarum in a pospartum patient. Case report

RESUMEN Fundamento: La fascitis necrotizante es una infección que se desarrolla de manera rápida, afecta la piel, tejido celular subcutáneo, fascia superficial y en ocasiones la profunda, en heridas quirúrgicas al producir necrosis hística y severa toxicidad sistémica. Es una afectación sistémica acompañante, que a su vez a ella se asocian factores predisponentes endógenos como: diabetes mellitus, obesidad, alcoholismo, infección por VIH, y exógenos: cirugía ginecobstétrica, inyecciones, traumatismos; por lo que estos pacientes resultan ser enfermos críticos en las unidades de cuidados intensivos, con un curso clínico no uniforme, al llevar a una evolución fulminante cuando corresponde con la variante hiperaguda o fulminante. Objetivo: Describir la presencia de fascitis necrotizante hiperaguda causada por Enterococcus gallinarum, en una puérpera. Reporte de caso: Puérpera que se le practicó parto distócico por cesárea electiva a las 38.3 semanas, a las 24 h presentó manifestaciones generales que se acompañaron de lesiones en la piel; se le realizó cirugía ginecobstétrica, su evolución fue tórpida y falleció por fallo multiorgánico a los 3 días debido a las consecuencias de fascitis necrotizante hiperaguda o fulminante, causada esta por un Enterococcus gallinarum. Conclusiones: La fascitis necrotizante es una enfermedad poco frecuente y mortal si no se trata a tiempo; su diagnóstico resulta difícil en su fase inicial, debido a que casi siempre es clínico. El tratamiento quirúrgico debe ser urgente, combinarse este con antibióticoterapia sistémica, debido al germen causal y la toxicidad que producen.

ABSTRACT Background: Necrotizing fasciitis is an infection that develops rapidly, affecting the skin, subcutaneous cellular tissue, superficial fascia and sometimes deep fascia, in surgical wounds by producing hystenotic necrosis and severe systemic toxicity. It is a supplementary systemic affectation, which in turn is associated with endogenous predisposing factors such as: diabetes mellitus, obesity, alcoholism, HIV infection, and exogenous: gynecobstetric surgery, injections, traumatisms; so these patients are critical patients in intensive care units, with a non-uniform clinical progression, leading to a fulminant evolution when parallel to the hyperacute or fulminant variant. Objective: To describe the presence of hyperacute necrotizing fasciitis caused by Enterococcus gallinarum in a puerperal. Case report: A puerperal who suffered from dystocia delivery by elective cesarean section at 38.3 weeks, at 24 h presented general manifestations accompanied by skin lesions; she underwent gynecobstetric surgery, her evolution was torpid and she died of multiorgan failure after 3 days due to the consequences of hyperacute or fulminant necrotizing fasciitis, caused by Enterococcus gallinarum. Conclusions: Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare and fatal disease if not treated in time; its diagnosis is difficult in its early phase because it is often clinical. Surgical treatment should be urgent and combined with systemic antibiotic therapy due to the causative germ and the toxicity they produce.

Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome Secondary to Postpartum Endometritis: Case Report and Literature Review.

We report a case of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome (FHCS) 1 week after an urgent cesarean section. Although its onset in the postpartum period is poorly reported in the literature, we suggest that FHCS can complicate puerperal endometritis; therefore, it should be consider in differential diagnosis in puerpera with right upper quadrant pain. Again, it can be useful to perform a contrast computed tomography that allows early diagnosis and conservative treatment.

Genital Tract GAS Infection ISIDOG Guidelines.

There has been an increasing worldwide incidence of invasive group A streptococcal (GAS) disease in pregnancy and in the puerperal period over the past 30 years. Postpartum Group A streptococci infection, and in particular streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) and necrotizing fasciitis, can be life threatening and difficult to treat. Despite antibiotics and supportive therapy, and in some cases advanced extensive surgery, mortality associated with invasive group A streptococcal postpartum endometritis, necrotizing fasciitis, and toxic shock syndrome remains high, up to 40% of postpartum septic deaths. It now accounts for more than 75,000 deaths worldwide every year. Postpartum women have a 20-fold increased incidence of GAS disease compared to non-pregnant women. Despite the high incidence, many invasive GAS infections are not diagnosed in a timely manner, resulting in potentially preventable maternal and neonatal deaths. In this paper the specific characteristics of GAS infection in the field of Ob/Gyn are brought to our attention, resulting in guidelines to improve our awareness, early recognition and timely treatment of the disease. New European prevalence data of vaginal GAS colonization are presented, alongside two original case histories. Additionally, aerobic vaginitis is proposed as a supplementary risk factor for invasive GAS diseases.

Obstetric early warning system to predict maternal morbidity of pre-eclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage and infection after birth in high-risk women: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of early warning systems is to detect deterioration of the patient and to enable timely intervention to prevent possible severe illness. The most common causes of maternal morbidity and mortality after birth are worsening pre-eclampsia, postpartum haemorrhage and puerperal infection. Our aim was to validate the accuracy of the obstetric early warning system and different physiological triggers to predict morbidity on the postnatal ward in high-risk women. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. SETTING: A tertiary referral hospital in Finland. PARTICIPANTS: High-risk women (n=828) (body mass index > 35 kg/m2, postpartum haemorrhage > 1,500 g, pre-eclampsia, chorioamnionitis during birth, type 1 diabetes or anxiety over the maternal condition based on clinical judgement) were studied on the postnatal ward in the first 24 hours after giving birth. In this study population the women without any morbidity served as a control group. The study was conducted between 1.11.2016 - 30.4. 2018 covering a period of 18 months. MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS: The accuracy of the obstetric early warning system and its five physiological parameters-respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature-and a pain score to predict worsening pre-eclampsia, complications related to postpartum haemorrhage and puerperal infection were determined. A red trigger is as a single, markedly abnormal observation, and a yellow trigger is a combination of two mildly abnormal observations. The sensitivity of obstetric early warning system at its best was 72% for pre-eclampsia, 52% for infection and 25% for postpartum haemorrhage. The red triggers were significantly associated with morbidity in each outcome studied. The red triggers of systolic blood pressure (OR 25.7, 95% CI 13.2-50.1) and diastolic blood pressure (OR 22.1, 95% CI 11.3-43.0) were independently associated with pre-eclampsia, systolic blood pressure (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.4-5.6) and heart rate (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.7-7.6) with postpartum haemorrhage and heart rate (OR 3.3, 1.0-10.3) with infection. KEYCONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of obstetric early warning system varied depending on the type of morbidity. The highest sensitivity and positive predictive value were in pre-eclampsia. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were the strongest physiological parameters to predict morbidity. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The systematic use of obstetric early warning system helps to improve maternal safety after birth in high-risk women. Blood pressure and pulse are the most important measurements.

Maternal presentation and neonatal outcome in peripartum enterovirus infection.

AIM: Enterovirus is a common pathogen. Although mostly asymptomatic, this infection has the potential to be life-threatening in neonates. This article aims to describe the early neonatal outcomes in peripartum infection. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary hospital between 1/2014 and 5/2019. The enterovirus infection was established by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. RESULTS: Out of 161 neonates tested for the enterovirus infection 13 (8%) were positive. Maternal fever was the most common sign (n = 8, 66.7%). The mean gestational age at delivery was 36 + 5 (range 30 + 5 to 40 + 6 weeks). The mean time interval from birth to neonatal manifestations of infection was 5.2 (0-9) days. The most common presenting sign in the neonates was fever (n = 8, 61.5%). All neonates required the neonatal intensive care unit. The neonatal mortality rate was 3/13 (23%). CONCLUSION: The neonatal morbidity and mortality from the enterovirus infection may have been associated with the severity of maternal presentation at the time of admission. Enterovirus real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis should be considered as part of the maternal evaluation in cases of maternal fever of unknown origin. Deferral of the induction of delivery for term pregnancies with confirmed enterovirus infections should be considered.

Infecção do sítio cirúrgico após cesariana em uma maternidade de Manaus, Brasil: a importância do uso racional da antibioticoterapia / Surgical site infection after cesarean section in a maternity hospital in Manaus, Brazil: the importance of rational antibiotic therapy

Objetivo: Descrever o perfil epidemiológico e microbiológico das puérperas com diagnóstico de infecção após cesárea, caracterizando as infecções de sítio cirúrgico e o tratamento. Métodos: Coorte prospectiva de parturientes submetidas a parto cesáreo em maternidade pública de Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil, com diagnóstico de infecção de sítio cirúrgico, entre 1º de julho de 2019 e 30 de abril de 2020. Foram coletados dados epidemiológicos. Para a investigação do perfil microbiológico, foi realizada a identificação da cultura a partir da secreção da infecção do sítio cirúrgico e do antibiograma das culturas. Resultados: Um total de 81 pacientes foi diagnosticado com infecção de sítio cirúrgico durante o período de estudo. A taxa de infecção de sítio cirúrgico na maternidade em estudo foi de 6,0%. As pacientes possuíam baixa escolaridade e baixa renda mensal, com ocupações que requerem menor qualificação, sendo a maioria solteira. Entre as pacientes, 70,4% eram obesas e 28,4% apresentaram sobrepeso; 45,6% delas tiveram parto cesáreo de emergência e 29,6% não usaram antibióticos profiláticos. Staphylococcus aureus foi a cultura identificada mais frequentemente e apresentou resistência ao antibiótico mais prescrito: a gentamicina. Conclusão: A taxa de infecção do sítio cirúrgico foi alta durante o período do estudo. Ressaltamos a necessidade de um protocolo eficaz de identificação bacteriana e acompanhamento da puérpera. O conhecimento das características epidemiológicas e microbiológicas pode auxiliar no planejamento dos cuidados realizados pelas instituições de saúde para minimizar os casos de infecção de sítio cirúrgico e suas consequências.(AU)

Objective: To describe the epidemiological and microbiological profiles of puerperal women diagnosed with the infection after cesarean sections, characterizing the surgical site infections and treatment. Methods: Prospective cohort of parturients underwent cesarean delivery at a public maternity hospital in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, diagnosed with surgical site infection between July 1, 2019, and April 30, 2020. Epidemiological data were collected. To investigate the microbiological profile, both culture identification from surgical site infection secretion and antibiogram for the cultures were performed. Results: A total of 81 patients were confirmed to have surgical site infection during this study period; The surgical site infection rate in the maternity hospital under study was 6.0%. The patients presented a low level of education and monthly income, with occupations that require lower qualification, and most of them are single. Seventy point four percent of the patients were obese, and 28.4% were overweight. Forty-five point six percent of patients had an emergency cesarean delivery, and 29.6% did not use prophylactic antibiotics. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent culture identified from surgical site infection secretion and presented resistance to the most prescribed antibiotic, Gentamicin. Conclusion: The rate of surgical site infection was high during the study period. We highlight the need for an effective bacterial identification protocol and monitoring of puerperal women. Knowledge of epidemiological and microbiological characteristics can assist in the planning of care performed by the health institutions to minimize cases of surgical site infection and its consequences.(AU)

A Case Study of Puerperal Group A Streptococcal Infection Complicated by Toxic Shock Syndrome.

Puerperal infection with group A streptococcus (GAS), Streptococcus pyogenes , is associated significant morbidity and mortality. When associated with toxic shock syndrome (TSS), mortality rates rise to approximately 50%. We present the case of a 32-year-old Para 2 reporting severe left distal lower extremity pain, fevers, and chills at 1 week following an uncomplicated vaginal delivery. The patient's clinical status rapidly decompensated to septic shock requiring transfer to the intensive care unit. She underwent anterior and lateral compartment fasciotomy of the left lower extremity for concerns of possible necrotizing soft tissue infection. Final blood cultures confirmed GAS infection with unclear primary source, though endometritis was favored. She required additional orthopaedic procedures including an arthroscopy with washout for contralateral septic arthritis and myositis before her discharge on hospital day 19. She obtained a near-full recovery complicated by poor wound healing and permanent left foot drop. While GAS remains a rare puerperal event, obstetricians should recall there is a 20-fold increased incidence among postpartum women. Progression to TSS is associated with very poor prognosis and hysterectomy is often necessary. Favorable outcomes in GAS with or without TTS hinge on astute clinical suspicion, aggressive fluid resuscitation, early antibiotic therapy, and source control.

Risk factors, changes in serum inflammatory factors, and clinical prevention and control measures for puerperal infection.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the risk factors and changes in serum inflammatory factors in puerperal infection, and propose clinical prevention measures. METHODS: A total of 240 subjects with suspected puerperal infection treated in our hospital from January 2017 to December 2017 were collected, among which puerperal infection was definitely diagnosed in 40 cases, and it was excluded in 40 cases. Levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were compared between the two groups, and the change trends of IL-6 and hs-CRP were recorded. RESULTS: Levels of IL-6, hs-CRP, and TNF-α in puerperal infection group were higher than those in non-infection group (P < .05). Levels of IL-6 and hs-CRP at enrollment and 1-3 days after enrollment in infection group were higher than those in non-infection group (P < .05). The body mass index >25, placenta previa, placenta accreta, postpartum hemorrhage, premature rupture of membrane, gestational diabetes mellitus, and anemia during pregnancy were relevant and independent risk factors for puerperal infection. Puerperal infection occurred in uterine cavity, vagina, pelvic peritoneum, pelvic tissue, incision, urinary system, etc, and gram-negative (G+) bacteria were dominated in pathogens. CONCLUSION: The inflammatory response of patients with puerperal infection is significantly enhanced.