Risk factors and complications of puerperal sepsis at a tertiary healthcare centre

OBJECTIVE To determine the risk factors and complications of puerperal sepsis. METHODS This was an observational prospective Cohort study conducted from January 2011 to December 2011 at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences Jamshoro/Hyderabad, Sindh Pakistan. During this study period, all the women who delivered in this hospital or referred to this hospital within 42 days after delivery with puerperal pyrexia/sepsis diagnosed on clinical examination as well as with relevant investigations were included in the study. Women with other ailments like malaria, typhoid fever and postpartum eclampsia during the puerperal period were excluded. The subjects were registered on predesigned proforma after giving informed written consent. The data was collected and analyzed using SPSS version 17. RESULTS During this period there were 3316 obstetrical admission and out of these 129(3.89%) women had puerperal sepsis. Most of these women 84(65.11%) were aged 31 years and above, multiparous 101 (78.29%), and unbooked 98 (75.96%) cases. Common risk factors found were absent membranes in 108(83.72%) of the women, delivered or undelivered and mismanaged, referred cases 95(73.64%), are being delivered in this hospital 34(26.35%). Morbidities seen were septicemia in 35 (27.13%) cases, and disseminated intra vascular coagulation in 23(17.82%) cases, while 11 (8.52%) of the women died. CONCLUSION Common risk factors were anaemia; suboptimal personal hygiene as well as improper sterilization which resulted in severe health hazards such as septicemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation as well as death.