Prevention of postcesarean infectious morbidity with a single dose of intravenous metronidazole
J A Ruiz-Moreno1, J M Garcia-Rojas, J D Lozada-Leon
1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hospital Central Militar, Mexico City, Mexico.
Abstract:
The efficacy of intravenous metronidazole for the prevention of postcesarean section infectious morbidity was studied in 100 healthy women, randomly given either the drug or a placebo. The metronidazole group received 1.0 g intravenously, immediately after cord clamping. Among the 50 patients who received metronidazole, endometritis developed in 7 (14%) as it did in 15 (30%) of the placebo group (P less than 0.01); wound infection was found in 1 (2%) and 4 (8%), respectively (P less than 0.01). If both infectious complications are compared together, the difference (16% versus 38%) is more significant (P less than 0.001). Metronidazole was well tolerated by the mother and with this type of administration regimen, the fetus is not exposed to the drug. It is concluded that metronidazole, used as here reported, is effective in reducing the frequency of postcesarean section endometritis and wound infection with the consequent clinical and economic impacts.
Related Concept Videos
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
Treating Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcers: Antimicrobial Therapy
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents
Urinary Tract Infection IV: Nursing Management
Development of the Oral Microbiota


