[Hospital infection in maternity homes]

The results of the prospective survey of hospital infections in mothers and newborns at the obstetrical clinic of the Edouard Herriot Hospital in Lyon are presented. Surveillance lasting six successive years covered 18,026 deliveries with or without the use of cesarean section. The incidence of hospital infections (not taking into account cases of bacteriuria) was 1.6% in parturient women not subjected to cesarean section and 11.7% in those having had this operation. Urinary tract and parietal infections, endometritis were in leading cases. The average incidence of hospital infection in newborns was 2.68%, the leading clinical manifestations being peripheral staphylococcal lesions in the form of pustules.