Bacteriologic findings of post-cesarean endometritis in adolescents

Article Abstract:

Adolescents appear to have a high incidence of endometritis (inflammation of the uterine lining) after cesarean section for reasons that are currently unknown. To better understand this issue, 204 adolescents, aged 14 to 19, and 751 adults were studied following cesarean section. Antibiotics were administered intravenously to all patients immediately after the infant's umbilical cord was clamped, and patients were monitored to see whether temperature greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or uterine tenderness developed. When infection was diagnosed, evaluation of endometrial biopsies and blood samples was undertaken. Results showed that the rate of endometritis was 23 percent among adolescents, but only 11 percent for adults. Longer duration of labor, increased length of time after membrane rupture, and use of an internal fetal monitor increased the risk of endometritis in adults, but not in adolescents. Certain microorganisms, such as Chlamydia trachomatis and Gardnerella vaginalis, were isolated more frequently from adolescents (21 and 32 percent, respectively) than from adults (6 and 9 percent). The high incidence of post-cesarean endometritis suggests that it should be considered a complication of teenage pregnancy. Whether the organisms isolated from these adolescents play a role in endometritis is not known; however, in pregnant adolescents, screening for G. vaginalis and C. trachomatis should be performed prior to delivery. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Causes of, Statistics, Demographic aspects, Teenage pregnancy

---

A clinical and microbiologic analysis of risk factors for puerperal endometritis

Article Abstract:

Endometritis, swelling of the tissue lining the uterus, is generally caused by bacterial infection. Infections occurring after cesarean delivery are common and well-documented. However, 20 percent of endometritis cases occur after vaginal delivery. To help predict which women are at risk for endometritis after delivery, 607 laboring women without symptoms were studied. Women requiring cesarean delivery were 12.3 times more likely to develop endometritis. Of the 124 women undergoing cesarean delivery, the relative risk was 0.54 if antibiotics were given to prevent infection. The risk was 1.4 if a highly virulent type of bacteria was present. If a woman delivered vaginally, she was 14.2 time more likely to develop endometritis if she had bacterial vaginosis infection at the time of delivery. It was originally thought that women having longer labors, premature rupture of the membranes surrounding the fetus, and an increased number of vaginal examinations were at risk for endometritis. Although these factors may facilitate infection, a cesarean delivery, lack of antibiotic coverage and the presence of bacterial vaginosis were more likely to predict women at risk for endometritis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Risk factors

---

Ticarcillin/clavulanic acid versus clindamycin and gentamicin in the treatment of post-cesarean endometritis following antibiotic prophylaxis

Article Abstract:

One hundred fifty-two pregnant women who had received the antibiotic cefazolin as a preventive measure developed endometritis after childbirth by cesarean section. Endometritis is an inflammation of the endometrium (the inner mucous membrane of the uterus) usually caused by a bacterial infection. They were treated with one of two antibiotics: clindamycin-gentamicin or ticarcillin/clavulanic acid. Cure rates were similar for both antibiotics, with ticarcillin/clavulanic achieving a rate of 85 percent and clindamycin-genamicin a rate of 81 percent. Ticarcillin/clavulanic acid offers the advantages of an increased spectrum of activity, especially against beta-lactamase-producing bacteria, lower cost and reduced toxicity.

Health aspects, Care and treatment, Abnormalities, Antibiotics, Drug therapy, Endometrium, Puerperal disorders

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Defibrillator failures: causes of problems and recommendations for improvement. Frequency and types of medical emergencies among commercial air travelers
• Abstracts: An epidemiologic study of headache among adolescents and young adults. Cost of lost productive work time among US workers with depression
• Abstracts: Spina bifida in infants of women treated with carbamazepine during pregnancy
• Abstracts: Effects of cyclosporine therapy on plasma lipoprotein levels. The prevalence of high blood cholesterol levels among adults in the United States
• Abstracts: Too much informed consent? Relationship of bacteriologic characteristics to semen indices in men attending an infertility clinic

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.