Puerperal pyrexia

Question 1

what is it?

Answer 1

temperature of > 38ºC in the first 14 days following delivery.

Question 2

causes

Answer 2

endometritis: most common cause

urinary tract infection

wound infections (perineal tears + caesarean section)

mastitis

venous thromboembolism

Question 3

Mx

Answer 3

endometritis is suspected the patient should be referred to hospital for intravenous antibiotics (clindamycin and gentamicin until afebrile for greater than 24 hours)