Q 04: A 23-year-old woman, G3P2, with a history of 34 weeks gestation and a six-day history of vaginal leakage, undergoes a vaginal delivery. Twenty-four hours post-delivery, she develops a high-grade fever accompanied by foul-smelling vaginal discharge. What is the most likely diagnosis? (Question Id: 712019)
(Option C) Puerperal pyrexia: As mentioned earlier, puerperal pyrexia is a fever that occurs after childbirth, usually within the first ten days postpartum. It can have several causes, including infection of the genital tract, wound infections from episiotomy or cesarean section, urinary tract infections, or breast infections (mastitis). Given the patient's symptoms of high-grade fever and foul-smelling vaginal discharge after 24 hours of delivery, puerperal pyrexia is the most probable diagnosis.
(Option A) Chorioamnionitis: Chorioamnionitis is an infection of the fetal membranes (chorion and amnion) and amniotic fluid. It often occurs during labor and delivery, especially when there is prolonged rupture of membranes (water breaking) before delivery. Symptoms include fever, uterine tenderness, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, and an increased heart rate in the mother. Since the patient has foul-smelling vaginal discharge and high-grade fever after delivery, chorioamnionitis could be considered as a possible diagnosis, but it is less likely than puerperal pyrexia in this case.
(Option B) Preterm labor: Preterm labor refers to the onset of labor before 37 weeks of gestation. In the given scenario, the woman has already delivered vaginally, so preterm labor is not the correct diagnosis.
(Option D) Pyrexia of unknown origin: Pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) is a fever of at least 38.3°C (101°F) that lasts for more than three weeks, and the cause remains undiagnosed after a thorough evaluation. In this case, the patient's fever is likely related to the recent delivery, so PUO is not the appropriate diagnosis.
Subject: ObsGyn
System/ Title: Female Reproductive System
Topic: Postpartum Infection
Topic |
Postpartum Infection |
Definition |
Infection occurring after childbirth. |
Timing |
Typically develops within the first 10 days postpartum. |
Common Infections |
- Endometritis (infection of the uterine lining)
- Wound infections (C-section or episiotomy site)
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Mastitis (breast infection)
|
Risk Factors |
- Prolonged labor or delivery
- Cesarean section (C-section)
- Premature rupture of membranes (PROM)
- Multiple vaginal examinations during labor
- Diabetes or other immunocompromising conditions
|
Signs and Symptoms |
- Fever
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Uterine tenderness
- Abdominal pain
- Pain or redness at incision site (if applicable)
- Breast redness, warmth, and pain (for mastitis)
|
Diagnosis |
Clinical evaluation, blood tests, imaging (e.g., ultrasound), and culture of discharge or wound samples. |
Treatment |
- Antibiotics for the specific pathogen involved
- Drainage of abscesses (if present)
- Pain management
- Supportive care (e.g., hydration, rest)
|
Complications |
- Sepsis
- Pelvic abscess
- Infertility (rare)
|
Prevention |
- Proper hygiene and aseptic techniques during labor and delivery
- Timely administration of antibiotics in high-risk situations
- Good hand hygiene for healthcare providers
- Early ambulation post-C-section
|