Chlamydia trachomatis and febrile complications of postpartum tubal ligation.
OBJECTIVE
Our goal was to determine whether chlamydia-infected women have a higher rate of febrile complications after postpartum tubal ligation.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analysis of 1447 women tested for chlamydial infection within 2 weeks of delivery and who underwent postpartum tubal ligation was performed. Subjects were identified with the Regenstrief Institute for Health Care database. Infected subjects were compared with uninfected subjects for incidence of fever not explained by nongynecologic sources.


RESULTS
Women infected with Chlamydia trachomatis at delivery were more likely to experience febrile postoperative complications after tubal ligation (p < 0.0001, relative risk 9.5, 95% confidence interval 4.5 to 20.1).


CONCLUSIONS
Women undergoing postpartum tuba ligation may benefit from prompt diagnosis and preoperative treatment of chlamydial infection.
Todd
C S
CS
Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, 46202-5124, USA.
Jones
R B
RB
Golichowski
A
A
Arno
J N
JN
D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D049590:Postpartum Period; D013246:Sterilization, Tubal / Q000009:adverse effects*