Puerperal infection after caesarean section at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Johannesburg

Abstract

Objectives. To determine the incidence of puerperal sepsis after caesarean section (CS) at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Methods. A longitudinal descriptive study was done on women undergoing CS, with follow-up for readmission or development of sepsis, including telephone calls 14 days after delivery. Puerperal sepsis was defined as fever (temperature ≥38oC) with vaginal bleeding, malodorous discharge or pain. Women who telephonically reported pain, bleeding or malodorous discharge were classified as having possible mild wound infection.

Results and conclusion. A total of 272 women were followed up. Four (1.5%) were readmitted with puerperal sepsis, and 30 (11.0%) had possible mild wound infection. There were no significant differences between women with no evidence of infection (n=238) and those with possible infection or puerperal sepsis (n=34) with respect to indicators of socio-economic status, antenatal care attendance, antenatal anaemia, HIV status, preterm birth, elective CS or skin incision used.