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Human Placental and Decidual Organ Cultures to Study Infections at the Maternal-fetal Interface
07:04

Human Placental and Decidual Organ Cultures to Study Infections at the Maternal-fetal Interface

Published on: July 21, 2016

Obstetric infections.

Stephen E Lapinsky1

  • 1Intensive Care Unit, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, 600 University Avenue, Room 18-214, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada. stephen.lapinsky@utoronto.ca

Critical Care Clinics
|July 9, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Sepsis causes 10% of maternal deaths, with pregnant women facing increased infection risks due to immune changes. Prompt treatment with antibiotics and potential surgery are crucial for managing obstetric sepsis.

Keywords:
Critical careInfectiousPregnancy complicationsPuerperal infectionSepsis

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Published on: December 4, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Sepsis represents a significant cause of maternal mortality, accounting for 10% of all deaths.
  • Pregnancy-induced alterations in cell-mediated immunity increase susceptibility to infections.
  • Specific infections like Group A streptococcal, pyelonephritis, influenza, varicella zoster, and malaria pose heightened risks during pregnancy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the critical impact of sepsis on maternal mortality.
  • To discuss the unique immunological vulnerabilities of pregnant women to infections.
  • To outline the management strategies and specific infectious agents associated with obstetric sepsis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on maternal sepsis and associated infections.
  • Analysis of clinical presentations and outcomes of infections in pregnant women.
  • Synthesis of current recommendations for the management of obstetric sepsis.

Main Results:

  • Obstetric sepsis requires immediate broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and possibly surgical intervention.
  • Group A streptococcal infections can lead to severe conditions like necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome.
  • Pyelonephritis is a frequent cause of sepsis in pregnancy, with a higher incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome compared to nonpregnant individuals.
  • Severe pneumonitis and complicated malaria present significant risks to both mother and fetus.

Conclusions:

  • Early recognition and management of obstetric sepsis are vital for improving maternal outcomes.
  • Understanding the altered immune status in pregnancy is key to preventing and treating infections.
  • A range of infectious agents, from bacterial to viral and parasitic, can cause severe sepsis in pregnant women, necessitating tailored interventions.