Maternal sepsis: a 5-year single center review

Abstract

Aim
The aim of this study was to review cases and causes of maternal sepsis in a single tertiary unit over a five-year period (2018-2022).

Methods
Maternal sepsis cases were prospectively identified by the local surveillance. Data pertaining to each case was collected in an excel database accessed and analysed by the research team.

Results
41,887 women delivered babies weighing >500g during the study period. 82 women were recorded as having sepsis (0.2% or 1.96 per 1000 women). Of these, 32 cases (39%) occurred in the antenatal period, 19 (23%) were intrapartum and 31 (38%) occurred in the postnatal period. 11 (34%) of the antenatal cases had a diagnosis of pyelonephritis, with E.coli being the most frequently isolated organism (7). The majority (95, 18%) of intrapartum sepsis cases had chorioamnionitis. Postnatally the most common diagnosis was endometritis 14 (45%) followed by pyelonephritis 4 (13%). E.coli was isolated in 34 (41%) of sepsis cases overall.

Discussion
It is imperative that maternity services continue to focus on identification of cases, conditions and trends in order that appropriate staff and patient education and interventions can be encouraged and sustained to mitigate risk.