The Heat Is On
The Heat is on
A hot topic Intra partum fever
Intrapartum fever is an important predictor of neonatal morbidity & infection related morbidity. Obstet Gynecol.2001;98(1)20-7 Diurnal Temperature
Volunteers Parturients
Low: 0600 hrs – 36.8’C Low:Noon – 34.6’C
Peak : 1700 hrs – 37.7’C Peak: 0100 hrs – 37.6’C Intrapartum Fever
Definition
Temperature > 38’C
Incidence up to 10% all pregnancies Aetiology
Non infectious 11%
Infectious 2-4% Chorioamnionitis at Term Intrapartum Fever
Risk factors Nulliparity Prolonged labour Prolonged Latent phase Prolonged ROM >24 hours Frequent vaginal exams Herbst et al 1995. Intrapartum fever – causes:
Epidural analgesia Overheated room Normal physiologic change Infection Dehydration
Low risk asymptomatic intra-partum fever, infection is the least common explanation. Maayon-Metzger.Fetal Pediatric Path.2006.May- Jun;25(3)169-170 Fever in labour at Term
Epidural analgesia nd Longer 2 stage
Longer duration of ROM
Increased meconium in amniotic fluid
Interventions for non-reassuring EFM
Interventions for failure to progress
NICU admissions Fever in women at Term with less than 24 hours ROM JOGC.Dan Reilly.Ottowa.March.2005 Fever in labour at Term
Epidural : 5 fold risk of non-infectious fever in nullips
Longer labour: 15% increased risk of fever for each hour of 1st Stage 18% increased risk of fever for each hour of 2nd stage Fever in labour at Term
3 fold risk of intervention for failure to progress
5 fold risk of intervention for non reassuring fetal heart rate
70% increased risk of mec
4 fold increased risk of early unexplained seizures in newborn Risks for Neonates
Low Apgars
Hypotonia
Bag & mask ventilation
Seizures Risk for Neonates
Admission to NICU
Septic workup
IV antibiotics
Separation Intrapartrum fever
Sepsis evaluation of 416 neonates Only 4 babies had confirmed sepsis Lieberman et al Pediatrics 99:415-419 Epidurals
Epidural use increased from 1-83%
Incidence of maternal fever increased from 0.6% to 11% Fusi et al 1989 Shanson 1999 Cameron et al 1991 Epidurals
Cause unclear
Reduced hyperventilation
Reduced sweating
Lack of narcotic attenuation of fever
Acetominophen prophylaxis unhelpful,so not centrally mediated Epidurals
Fever does not occur in the majority of women having epidurals
Careful attention to history Epidurals
Group I – Chorioamnionitis Group II – LEA with chorioamnionitis Group III – LEA without chorioamnionitis
Histology of placenta
Can Jour Anaes.2001 Dec;48(11)1122-6 Epidurals
Group I – Chorioamnionitis Group II – LEA with chorioamnionitis Fever 100% Group III – LEA without chorioamnionitis Fever 1%
Histology of placenta
Can Jour Anaes.2001 Dec;48(11)1122-6 Epidurals
Average 5-6 hours before Temp rise
Average temperature rise is 0.1’C/hour Infection
UTI, URTI, Chorioamnionits Chorioamnionitis
Incidence 1.5 – 10 % N. America Petrova et al 2001 Lieberman et al 2000 2-7% W. Europe Herbert et al 1995 Impy et al 2001 Chorioamnionitis
Maternal fever greater than 38’C
At least two features : Maternal tachycardia ( >100/min) Fetal tachycardia ( >160/min) Uterine tenderness Offensive liquor Maternal leucocytosis ( > 16,000 cells/cu.mm) Chorioamnionitis
Polymicrobial infection Bugs
Ascending infection
Suggest initiating antibiotics even if epidural as cause of the fever
Treat if suspected ,even if already on antibiotics for GBS Chorioamnionitis
Babies born to mothers with this have a 5 fold risk of encephalopathy
Combination of fever & acidosis have a greater incidence of encephalopathy …additive effect Chorioamnionitis
Triggers for neonatal sepsis Low birth weight Prematurity Hypothermia at birth Maternal GBS colonisation PET Maternal hypertension Chorioamnionitis
Typical antibiotic regime Ampicillin 2G IV then 1G q6h Plus Gentamycin 1.5 mg/kg IV q8h
Clindamycin 900 mgs IV if C.Section or Penicillin allergic Intrapartum fever
Infection must be ruled out before a decision is made to withold antibiotic therapy.
Am.J.Perinatology 2000;17(3):127-3 Intrapartum fever
Rather than treating all women with fever & epidurals for presumed chorioamnionitis target : Fetal tachycardia Meconium stained liquor Abnormal amniotic fluid characteristics Am J Perinatology 1997;14(2):83-86 Genital sepsis
Beware of sepsis…..beware of sepsis
Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths March 2011. Leading cause of Direct death in the UK Genital sepsis
“Its course is often insidious & women with serious illness may appear deceptively well before suddenly collapsing with little or no warning”.
“Once established,sepsis may be fulminating & irreversible”. Genital sepsis
“Sepsis is complex, incompletely understood, often difficult to recognise and manage & presents a continuing challenge”. Genital sepsis
Although a high WCC & pyrexia are usual, leucopenia & hypothermia can occur.
Diarrhea common
Severe lower abdominal pains & after pains important symptoms. Ominous signs
Pyrexia common, but normal Temp does NOT exclude sepsis Hypothermia is significant. Persistent P>100 Tachypnea is sepsis until proved otherwise. Leucopenia Diarrhea +/_ vomiting Persistent abdominal pain Fetal heart rate abnormalities Antibiotic therapy
Cefuroxime 1.5G q8h + Metronidazole 500mhq8h
Cefotaxime 1-2G q6-12h + Metronidazole
Penicillin allergy: Clindamycin 600-1.2G q6-8h + Gentamycin
Severe septic shock…..Cipro,Piperacillin-tazobactam etc Intrapartum fever
History…..History…..History
Hope for the best, but plan for the worst
Beware of sepsis….Bewary of sepsis