This document defines puerperal sepsis and provides guidance on diagnosing, managing, and referring cases of puerperal sepsis. It defines puerperal sepsis as a genital tract infection between rupture of membranes or labor through 42 days postpartum with two or more symptoms including fever, abnormal discharge, abdominal pain, or tender uterus. It describes risk factors, causes, signs, and management approaches including antibiotics and referral for serious cases. The document emphasizes that puerperal sepsis is largely preventable through measures to improve hygiene and treat infections during the antenatal, intranatal, and postpartum periods.

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Puerperal Sepsis
Maternal Health Division
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Government of India
BEMoC - Presentation 6 (b)
Session 6b

2. PUERPERAL SEPSIS
Maternal Health Division
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Government of India
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Objectives
 Define puerperal sepsis
 Acquire skills to diagnose , manage and refer
cases of puerperal sepsis

3. PUERPERAL SEPSIS
Maternal Health Division
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Government of India
3
Puerperal Sepsis
Definition:
Puerperal sepsis is an infection of the genital tract at any
time between the onset of rupture of membranes or labour
and the 42nd day following delivery or abortion in which any
two or more of the following signs and symptoms are
present:
 Fever of >100.4 Fahrenheit (>38.5 ºC)
 Abnormal, Foul smelling vaginal discharge
 Lower abdominal pain
 Subinvoluted uterus which is tender

4. PUERPERAL SEPSIS
Maternal Health Division
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Government of India
4
How Puerperal Sepsis Occurs ?
 Occurs due to colonization of the genital tract by
microorganisms
 Organisms can be introduced from within (infection
of endogenous origin), or from outside (infection of
exogenous origin).
• Endogenous Infections: bacteria living within
vagina brought into uterus by pelvic
examination, instruments, dead tissue.
Microorganisms ascend into the uterus during
premature & PROM.
• Exogenous Infections: introduced from
outside by unclean hands, unsterile
instruments, Foreign substances & sexual
activity

5. PUERPERAL SEPSIS
Maternal Health Division
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Government of India
5
How Puerperal Sepsis Occurs ?
 Intrapartum:
• due to PROM & can cause Chorioamnionitis
 Extrapartum:
• may be localized or
• can spread and lead to parametritis,
peritonitis, septicaemia & DIC

6. PUERPERAL SEPSIS
Maternal Health Division
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Government of India
6
Risk Factors for Puerperal Sepsis
Patient-related
 Poor patient hygiene
 Pre-existing anaemia &
malnutrition
 Pre-existing sexually
transmitted infections
(STIs)/RTIs
 Not immunized against
tetanus
 Pre-existing diabetes
Related to delivery
 Failure to follow Asepsis
 Frequent vaginal examinations
 Manipulations high in the birth canal
 Dead tissue in the birth canal
 PROM
 Prolonged/obstructed labour
 C- section/ Instrumental delivery
 Unrepaired vaginal/cervical
lacerations
 PPH

7. PUERPERAL SEPSIS
Maternal Health Division
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Government of India
7
Risk Factors For Puerperal Sepsis – Contd...
Related to health service delivery
 Delivery by untrained persons
 Lack of asepsis during delivery
 Lack of routine postpartum care
 Inadequate monitoring of the temperature during prolonged
labour and after delivery
 Non-availability of proper antibiotics
 Inadequate management with appropriate antibiotics in a
case in whom puerperal sepsis has set in
 Further operative intervention in a case where puerperal
sepsis has set in

8. PUERPERAL SEPSIS
Maternal Health Division
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Government of India
8
Causes of Fever in Puerperium
Infectious
 Localized infection of vaginal/cervical laceration or
episiotomy
 Infection of a laceration or episiotomy which has spread
to the underlying soft tissue
 Ischiorectal abscess
 Endometritis
 Salpingitis
 Parametritis
 Generalized peritonitis
 Septic thrombophlebitis
 Cystitis
 Acute Pyelonephritis

9. PUERPERAL SEPSIS
Maternal Health Division
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Government of India
9
Causes of Fever in Puerperium: Infectious –
Contd...
 Tubo-ovarian abscess;
 Broad ligament abscess;
 Abscess in the pouch of Douglas
 Abscesses at other sites in the abdomen or chest
 Septicaemia
 Septic shock
 Breast infection such as mastitis or, at a later stage, breast
abscess
 UTI
 Malaria
 Wound infection
 Thromboembolic disorders (superficial thrombophlebitis &
DVT)

10. PUERPERAL SEPSIS
Maternal Health Division
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Government of India
10
Causes of Fever in Puerperium
Non – Infectious
 Dehydration
 Tissue trauma
 Reaction to foetal proteins
 Breast engorgement

11. PUERPERAL SEPSIS
Maternal Health Division
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Government of India
11
Causes of Fever in Puerperium
Most common causes are
 Endometritis
 Breast engorgement, mastitis, breast abscess
 Urinary tract infection
 Leg vein thrombosis
 Non obstetric causes

12. PUERPERAL SEPSIS
Maternal Health Division
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Government of India
12
Features of Puerperal Sepsis
 High grade fever
 Tachycardia, hypotension
 Excessive or foul smelling discharge
 Persistent lower abdominal pain
 On abdominal examination, uterus feels soft,
tender and subinvoluted
 On per speculum examination, foul smelling
purulent discharge is seen which may be
blood stained.

13. PUERPERAL SEPSIS
Maternal Health Division
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Government of India
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Management of Puerperal Fever
 Detailed history regarding onset, severity and
associated symptoms
 Complete physical examination including general,
systemic and local examination
 Manage according to the underlying cause
 Blood & urine for routine & microscopic investigation
 Encourage increased oral fluid intake
 Cold sponging to help decrease temperature
 Antibiotics
 Treat the cause
 Refer if required

14. PUERPERAL SEPSIS
Maternal Health Division
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Government of India
14
Management of Puerperal Sepsis
If the general condition of the woman is non toxic i.e., low
grade fever & pulse not rapid, give her a combination of
oral antibiotics
• Ampicillin 500 mg. QDS PLUS
• Tab Metronidazole 400mg. TDS PLUS
• Inj Gentamicin 80 mg. TDS
 Rule out presence of retained placental bits
 Monitor vitals every 2 hrly.
 Watch for 24 hrs
 If vital signs improving, then complete the course of
Antibiotic

15. PUERPERAL SEPSIS
Maternal Health Division
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Government of India
15
Management of puerperal sepsis
If fever persists after 72 hours of initiating
antibiotics:
 Re-evaluate and consider other causes of fever
 Consider if antibiotic cover sufficient; and
 REFER to FRU

16. PUERPERAL SEPSIS
Maternal Health Division
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Government of India
16
Management of Puerperal Sepsis
If the general condition of the woman is toxic i.e.,
with high grade fever & rapid pulse
 Start her on intravenous fluids and
 Give her the first dose of IV antibiotics:
• Ampicillin 1 gm IV PLUS
• Tab Metronidazole 500mg PLUS
• Inj Gentamicin 80 mg IM
 Rule out presence of retained placental bits
 Refer the woman to FRU immediately

17. PUERPERAL SEPSIS
Maternal Health Division
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Government of India
17
Management of Puerperal Sepsis

18. PUERPERAL SEPSIS
Maternal Health Division
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Government of India
18
Prevention
 Puerperal sepsis is to a great extent preventable;
 Measures to be taken in
• Antenatal Period:
 Improve Hb level to > 11 gms %
 Treat any septic focus (skin, throat etc.)
• Intranatal Period:
 Asepsis during delivery
• Postpartum Period:
 Maintain perineal hygiene
 Use of clean sanitary pad

19. PUERPERAL SEPSIS
Maternal Health Division
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Government of India
19
Key Messages
 Puerperal sepsis is important cause of
maternal mortality and morbidity
 It is, to a great extent, preventable
 Early detection and treatment helps complete
recovery
 Serious cases require referral

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Thank you