[Hyperthermia during labor. Role of peridural analgesia]

Over a period of 4 months, the authors have observed 414 deliveries, including 30 which presented a hyperthermia exceeding or equal to 37.8 degrees C (7.2%). 27 hyperthermias occurred under peridural analgesia. The thermogenic effect of this loco-regional anesthesia seems debatable since it occurs at an early stage, is transient and has a peripheral effect. The fever noted during labor indicates, most of the time, an infection. Peridural analgesia is advocated in most primiparous patients as well as in imperative labor inducements. Sometimes, this permits accepting a longer-lasting labor, exposing the patient to the risk of amniotic infection.