Puerperal fever is defined as a rise in temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher that occurs within the first ten days after delivery, excluding the first 24 hours. Common causes include infections, retained products of conception, and maternal conditions, with endometritis being the most prevalent infection. Treatment typically involves broad-spectrum antibiotics, supportive care, and possibly surgery, while prevention focuses on maintaining cleanliness and managing risk factors during childbirth.

1. PUERPERALPUERPERAL
PYREXIAPYREXIA
MADE BYMADE BY
HAFSAHAFSA
4TH YEAR B.E.M.S4TH YEAR B.E.M.S
ROLL NOROLL NO
O7O7
EM-13-OO9EM-13-OO9

2. DEFINITIONDEFINITION
• A rise in temperature reaching 100.4 °° F
(38 °° C)
Or more ( measured orally) on separate
occasions at 24 hours apart (excluding first
24 hours) with in first 10 days following
delivery is called puerperal feverpuerperal fever or
child-birth feverchild-birth fever

3. Benign fever following vaginalBenign fever following vaginal
deliverydelivery
• Benign single-day fevers:
Fever in the first 24 hours after delivery often
resolves spontaneously and cannot be
explained by an identifiable infection.

4. CAUSESCAUSES

11. • Some other causesSome other causes
• ❑ Premature rupture of the membranes
• ❑ retained products of conception
• ❑ hemorrhage
• ❑ maternal conditions, such as anemia, poor nutrition
during pregnancy.
• ❑ Genital tract infections
• (enterococci ,anaerobic strep, gonococci,(enterococci ,anaerobic strep, gonococci,
clostridium perfringens)clostridium perfringens)
• ❑ Use of a fetal scalp electrodefetal scalp electrode during labor.
• ❑ Obesity.
• ❑ Diabetes

12. • The associated symptoms depend on the site
and nature of the infection. The most typical
site of infection is the genital tract.
Endometritis,which affects the uterus, is the
most prominent of these infections.
Endometritis is much more common if a
small part of the placenta has been retained in
the uterus.

19. Physical examinationPhysical examination
A pelvic examination is done and samples
are taken from the genital tract to identify
the bacteria involved in the infection. The
pelvic examination can reveal the extent
of infection and possibly the cause.

20. LaboratoryLaboratory
• Blood samples may also be taken for blood
counts , CRP, or blood culture.
• A urinalysis may also be ordered, especially if
the symptoms are indicative of a urinary tract
infection.
• Chest x-ray
• Wound culture

21. TreatmentTreatment
• Treatment of puerperal infection usually begins with
I.V. infusion of broadspectrum antibiotics and is
continued for 48 hours after fever is resolved.
• Supportive care
• Symptomatic treatment
• Surgery may be necessary to remove any remaining
products of conception or to drain local lesions, such
as An infected episiotomy (incision made during
delivery) may need to be opened and drained.
• In the presence of thrombophlebitis, heparin therapy
will be needed to provide anticoagulation.

22. PreventionsPreventions
• Avoid the risk factors
• Keep the episiotomy site clean
• Careful attention to antiseptic procedures
during childbirth is the basic underpinning of
preventing infection. With some procedures,
such as cesarean section, a doctor may
administer prophylactic antibiotics as a
preemptive strike against infectious bacteria.