Risk factors for wound infection following caesarean section

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Surgical Site Infections
• Public Health

Background:

• Post-Caesarean section wound infection is a significant complication.
• Understanding risk factors is crucial for prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors contributing to the development of post-Caesarean section wound infections.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis in preventing these infections.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study conducted over 13 months.
• Inclusion of 328 patients who underwent Caesarean section.
• Analysis of maternal age, weight, and antibiotic prophylaxis as potential risk/protective factors.

Main Results:

• Wound infection occurred in 25.3% of patients; 36% diagnosed post-discharge.
• Maternal weight was a highly significant predictor (p=0.0001).
• Antibiotic prophylaxis was the most significant protective factor (p=0.0007), independent of maternal weight.

Conclusions:

• Maternal weight and antibiotic prophylaxis are key factors in post-Caesarean wound infection.
• Antibiotic prophylaxis demonstrates strong efficacy in reducing infection rates.
• Early identification and management of risk factors are essential for improving patient outcomes.