Prophylactic antibiotics for the prevention of postpartum infectious morbidity in women infected with human immunodeficiency virus: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of intrapartum prophylactic antibiotics in the prevention of postpartum sepsis in laboring women who were infected with HIV.

Study design: In a double-blind, randomized trial that was conducted in Durban (South Africa), pregnant women who were infected with HIV in whom vaginal delivery was anticipated were randomized to receive either a single dose of cefoxitin (2 g) or placebo intrapartum. Signs of sepsis were evaluated within 72 hours and at 1 and 2 weeks postpartum.

Results: Of the 424 women who were enrolled, 213 women received cefoxitin, and 211 women received placebo. Both groups were comparable in all baseline parameters. The overall sepsis rate was 19% (40/211 women) in the placebo group and 16.9% (36/213 women) in the cefoxitin group (P = .581). There was a 53% reduction in risk of postpartum endometritis in the cefoxitin group (95% confidence interval, 0.24-0.9).

Conclusion: The use of prophylactic intrapartum cefoxitin in HIV-infected women reduces the risk of postpartum endometritis.