title: Sepsis in obstetrics and the role of the anaesthetist.
abstract: Sepsis in pregnancy and the puerperium remains a significant cause of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Major morbidity arising as a result of obstetric sepsis includes fetal demise, organ failure, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pelvic pain, bilateral tubal occlusion and infertility. Early recognition and timely response are key to ensuring good outcome. This review examines the clinical problem of sepsis in obstetrics and the role of the anaesthetist in the management of this condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, UK. nuala.lucas@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Nel
mesh_terms: D000776:Anesthesiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology; D010819:Physician's Role; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy