Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2012;5(2):69-77.

Infectious morbidity after cesarean delivery: 10 strategies to reduce risk

Kelley Conroy, Angela F Koenig, Yan-Hong Yu, Amy Courtney, Hee Joong Lee, Errol R Norwitz

Infectious morbidity after cesarean delivery: 10 strategies to reduce risk

Kelley Conroy et al. Rev Obstet Gynecol. 2012.

Abstract

Puerperal infection remains a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. The primary risk factor is cesarean delivery, which increases the risk 5- to 20-fold. This article reviews in detail the risk of puerperal infection following cesarean delivery, both endometritis and surgical site infection, in both high- and low-risk populations. Strategies to prevent such infections are also discussed using a systematic evidence-based approach.

Keywords: Cesarean delivery; Endometritis; Pregnancy-related mortality; Puerperal infection; Surgical site infection.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Berg CJ, Callaghan WM, Syverson C, Henderson Z. Pregnancy-related mortality in the United States, 1998 to 2005. Obstet Gynecol. 2010;116:1302–1309. - PubMed
    1. Leth RA, Møller JK, Thomsen RW, et al. Risk of selected postpartum infections after cesarean section compared with vaginal birth: a five-year cohort study of 32,468 women. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2009;88:976–983. - PubMed
    1. Tita AT, Rouse DJ, Blackwell S, et al. Emerging concepts in antibiotic prophylaxis for cesarean delivery: a systematic review. Obstet Gynecol. 2009;113:675–682. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Duff P. Maternal and perinatal infection-bacterial. In: Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL, editors. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnanciesh. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone; 2007.
    1. HealthGrades 2011 Obstetrics & Gynecology in American Hospitals. [Accessed September 2, 2011]. Health Grades, Inc. Web site. http://www.healthgrades.com/business/img/Health Grades2011ObstetricsandG....

LinkOut - more resources