Puerperal Pyrexia : Short Summary and Causes

Peurperium

Puerperium is a period following child birth during which body tissues especially the pelvic organs revert back approximately to pre-pregnant state both anatomically and physiologically. Normally, it lasts for 6 weeks after delivery.

What is puerperal pyrexia?

also called childbed fever, is a  rise of temperature reaching 100.4 degree Fahrenheit  or 38 degree celcius measured orally on 2 separate occasions at 24 hours apart ( excluding first 24 hours) within first 10 days following delivery is called puerperal pyrexia.

Causes of fever during Peurperium

Puerperal Sepsis : Most common cause. It is an infection of genital tract which occurs as a complication of delivery. Peuperal pyrexia is considered to be due to genital tract infection unless proved otherwise.

Urinary tract infection

• Cystitis
• pyelonephritis

Mastitis : breast infection

Infection of cesarean section wound

Pulmonary infection

Septic pelvic thrombophlebitis

Recrudescence of malaria or pulmonary tuberculosis

Unknown causes