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Puerperal and intrapartum group A streptococcal infection
E Y Anteby1, S Yagel, J Hanoch
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah University Hospital, Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel. anteby@cc.huji.ac.il
Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology
|December 22, 1999
Summary
Non-epidemic group A streptococcal (GAS) infection in mothers is characterized by older maternal age and higher rates of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Some septic shock cases present later in the puerperium.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Infectious Diseases
- Maternal Health
Background:
- Group A streptococcal (GAS) infections can occur during childbirth (intrapartum) or after delivery (puerperal).
- Understanding the specific characteristics of non-epidemic GAS infections is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.
Observation:
- A study reviewed 47 cases of intrapartum/puerperal GAS infection over 6.5 years.
- Compared to the general obstetric population, GAS-infected mothers were older (30.4 vs. 27.4 years) and had higher rates of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM) (30% vs. 12%).
Findings:
- Fever was the most common symptom (66%), followed by fever with abdominal pain (17%) or bleeding (15%).
- 3 patients (6%) developed septic shock, with two presenting symptoms more than 14 days postpartum.
Implications:
- The findings help characterize non-epidemic intrapartum/puerperal GAS infections.
- Septic shock in GAS infection may have a later onset in the puerperium compared to uncomplicated cases.