Fulminant sepsis after invasive prenatal diagnosis

Abstract

Background: Sepsis is extremely rare after invasive prenatal diagnosis.

Case: A patient, who had undergone amniocentesis at 15 weeks, cordocentesis at 20 weeks, and repeat cordocentesis 24 hours before presentation, was admitted at 21 weeks gestation with vaginal bleeding, rupture of membranes, and intrauterine demise. Although clinical and laboratory findings were unremarkable at presentation, she rapidly developed septic syndrome with disseminated intravascular coagulation and eventually multiple organ failure. The fetus was disintegrated and the uterus had to be removed. She was discharged from the intensive care unit after 34 days. Cultures of the uterine content grew Clostridium perfringens. Review of the literature revealed 10 more cases of sepsis after transabdominal prenatal diagnosis.

Conclusion: Sepsis after prenatal diagnosis can be devastating, unless promptly diagnosed and treated.