Maternal sepsis

Pregnancy Outcomes in Patients with Urosepsis and Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections-A Retrospective Study

Background and Objectives: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are an important cause of perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to describe and compare the main pregnancy outcomes among pregnant patients with complicated and uncomplicated UTIs; Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 183 pregnant patients who were evaluated for uncomplicated UTIs and urosepsis in the Urology Department of 'C.I. Parhon' University Hospital, and who were followed up at a tertiary maternity hospital-'Cuza-voda' from Romania between January 2014 and October 2023. The control group (183 patients) was randomly selected from the patient's cohort who gave birth in the same time frame at the maternity hospital without urinary pathology. Clinical and paraclinical data were examined. Descriptive statistics and a conditional logistic regression model were used to analyze our data. Results: Our results indicated that patients with urosepsis had increased risk of premature rupture of membranes (aOR: 5.59, 95%CI: 2.02-15.40, p < 0.001) and preterm birth (aOR: 2.47, 95%CI: 1.15-5.33, p = 0.02). We could not demonstrate a statistically significant association between intrauterine growth restriction and pre-eclampsia with the studied urological pathologies. Conclusions: Careful UTI screening during pregnancy is needed for preventing maternal-fetal complications.

Determinants of Survival in obstetric Sepsis: Retrospective Observational Study

Introduction

Sepsis is the dysregulated response of the body to the infection. Obstetric sepsis carries significantly greater morbidity and mortality as the condition is also augmented by the physiological adaptation of body during pregnancy. We conducted this study to determine the various epidemiological and clinical determinants of severity of sepsis which can help in prediction of survival in case of obstetric sepsis.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary care center and all cases admitted with the diagnosis of obstetric sepsis as per the defined criteria between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2020 were included in the study. Patients were evaluated for their clinical presentation, SOFA score, biochemical and microbiological parameters and the treatment given during their course of stay. Variables were compared among survivor and non-survivor group using appropriate statistical tests. Parameters which have significant association were further taken for binary logistic regression analysis.

Result

A total 46 patients of obstetric sepsis were admitted under defined criteria. Twelve out of 46 patients did not survive (26.09%). On statistical analysis, mean SOFA score (p = 0.005) as well as patients with SOFA score > 6 (p = 0.029), presence of multi organ failure (0.04) and septic shock (p = 0.012) were found to be significantly associated with mortality.

Conclusion

The study suggests that these determinants of survival should always be evaluated while catering to a patient of obstetric sepsis in order to guide the treatment, prognostication and improving outcome of the patients.

Maternal Sepsis: A Review of National and International Guidelines

OBJECTIVE

 Sepsis is a life-threatening syndrome caused by the body's response to infection. The Global Maternal Sepsis Study (GLOSS) suggests sepsis plays a larger role in maternal morbidity and mortality than previously thought. We therefore sought to compare national and international guidelines for maternal sepsis to determine their consistency with each other and the Third International Consensus for Sepsis and Septic Shock (SEPSIS-3).

STUDY DESIGN

 Using Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed, Google Scholar, and organization Web sites, we identified seven guidelines on maternal sepsis in the English language-The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia and New Zealand, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and World Health Organization. Guidelines were reviewed to ascertain the commonality and variation, if any, in definitions of maternal sepsis, tools and criteria utilized for diagnosis, obstetric warning systems used, as well as evaluation and management of maternal sepsis. These variables were also compared with SEPSIS-3.

RESULTS

 All guidelines provided definitions consistent with a version of the SEPSIS, although the specific version utilized were varied. Clinical variables and tools employed for diagnosis of maternal sepsis were also varied. Evaluation and management of maternal sepsis and septic shock were similar.

CONCLUSION

 In conclusion, national and international maternal sepsis guidelines were incongruent with each other and SEPSIS-3 in diagnostic criteria and tools but similar in evaluation and management recommendations.

KEY POINTS

· Definitions for maternal sepsis and septic shock are varied.. · Maternal sepsis guidelines differ in proposed criteria and tools.. · Maternal sepsis guidelines have similar management recommendations..

Group A Streptococcal Infection During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

Group A Streptococcus, the causative organism for "childbed fever," continues to pose a threat to women during pregnancy and the postpartum period, despite advances in hygiene and the development of antibiotic therapy. This resilient bacterium has resurfaced with intensified virulence, and, for reasons not entirely clear, causes severe disease in some women. Sepsis and toxic shock syndrome caused by Group A Streptococcus contribute to the alarming rates of maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States. Early recognition of the subtle signs and symptoms of sepsis is critical to decrease the risk for mortality; however, early signs can be elusive during the perinatal period because of the physiologic changes of pregnancy. Care management requires a coordinated, collaborative, multidisciplinary team approach. Sepsis is a clinical emergency, and health care providers need to respond as a well-prepared team.

Maternal Quality Outcomes and Cost

The quality of maternal care in the United States is receiving increased attention due to rising rates of severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality when compared with other developed countries. Many of these events are considered preventable. The lack of adoption of evidence-based maternal patient safety bundles and tool kits requires immediate attention. Maternal levels of care described by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists requires increased focus so that women are in the appropriate facility to receive care. Perinatal care management, integrated behavioral health, and preconception care should be considered a preferred methodology to achieve optimal maternal outcomes.

Use of Ceftolozane/Tazobactam in a Case of Septic Shock by Puerperal Sepsis

Multiresistant bacteria infections cause widespread morbidity and mortality and lead to an increase in expenses for hospital stays and complications. We describe the case of a 27-year-old patient with puerperal sepsis after cesarean section due to Escherichia coli complicated by multiresistant Klebsiella ESBL-producing superinfection with septic shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, successfully treated with ceftolozane/tazobactam.