title: Obstetric infections.
abstract: Sepsis accounts for approximately 10% of all maternal deaths. Pregnant women are susceptible to certain infections because of alterations in their cell-mediated immunity. Obstetric sepsis requires early broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and may necessitate surgical intervention. Group A streptococcal infection may produce necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock. Pyelonephritis remains a common cause of sepsis during pregnancy, and associated acute respiratory distress syndrome occurs more commonly than in the nonpregnant population. Severe pneumonitis caused by influenza virus and varicella zoster infection may occur. Malaria may be more severe in the pregnant woman, and carries significant risk to both mother and fetus.
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, 600 University Avenue, Room 18-214, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada. stephen.lapinsky@utoronto.ca
authors.forename: Stephen E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Lapinsky
mesh_terms: D000031:Abortion, Septic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004716:Endometritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000503:physiopathology; D005334:Fever / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011645:Puerperal Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D011704:Pyelonephritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D018805:Sepsis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents
keywords: Critical care; Infectious; Pregnancy complications; Puerperal infection; Sepsis