Obstetric & Perinatal Infections Flashcards
What are perinatal and postnatal infections of the newborn?
- acquired during birth
- acquired soon after birth
Why are pregnant women more susceptible to infection (also immediately following birth; puerperium)?
- increased progesterone leads to decreased mobility of the ureter and the enlarged uterus obstructs the urethra, leading to incomplete bladder emptying and an increased risk for cystitis and UTIs.
What pathogens are more common in pregnancy?
- salmonella
- listeriosis
- candidiasis
- influenza
- coccidiodomycosis
- varicella
- malaria
- hepatitis E
In what trimester does pyelonephritis most often occur during pregnancy?
- 2nd trimester, due to untreated cystitis.
What pathogens are associated with UTIs (in general, whether pregnant or not)?
- E. coli (MOST)
- Group B strep
- Proteus mirabilis
- Enterococci
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
What is the concern with pyelonephritis?
- sepsis, which is often associated with premature uterine contractions
*** What is chorioamnionitis?
- ascending polymicrobial infection of the placenta, amniotic fluid, and fetal membranes, due to normal vaginal flora.
- has high association with preterm birth and preterm premature RUPTURE of membranes.
*** What pathogens are associated with chorioamnionitis?
- Gardnerella vaginalis
- group B strep
- E. coli
What are some risk factors for chorioamnionitis?
- BV
- STI (GC/Chlamydia)
- GBS colonization
- prolonged labor
- frequent vaginal exams during labor
- internal fetal monitoring
What are the signs of chorioamnionitis?
- maternal fever
- maternal or fetal tachycardia
- uterine tenderness
- leukocytosis
- foul smelling amniotic fluid due to anaerobes (uncommon)
How do you diagnose chorioamnionitis?
- culture of amniotic fluid
How do we treat chorioamnionitis?
- induction of labor; delivery
- broad-spectrum antibiotics during labor, but aren’t needed after labor for the mother unless she remains febrile.
What can happen to the mother as a possible consequence of chorioamnionitis?
- puerperal (intrapartum) fever
What pathogen is associated with more severe complications in chorioamnionitis?
- clostridium perfringens (myonecrosis or gas gangrene)
What is puerperal fever?
- fever that lasts more than 24 hours within the first 10 days post delivery due to ENDOMYOMETRITIS form postpartum infection of the uterus (at the placental site).
- dissemination via blood or lymphatics could cause sepsis or peritonitis.
What are the major pathogens in postpartum endomyometritis?
- E. coli
- group B strep
- anaerobes
What are the signs and treatment for postpartum endomyometritis?
- fever, uterine tenderness, tachycardia, purulent vaginal discharge.
- treat with broad-spectrum antibiotics
To what can postpartum endomyometritis lead?
- thrombophlebitis and pelvic abscess
What causes most cases of neonatal herpes?
- transmission of herpes virus during birth
** What NEONATAL infections are acquired during passage down an infected birth canal? (aka what is the baby getting, from the mother)
- Group B strep= sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis.
- E. coli= sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis.
- Group A strep= sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis.
- Enterococcus= UTI, sepsis.
- Listeria monocytogenes= spsis, meningitis, diarrhea.
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae= conjunctivitis
- Chlamydia trachomatis= conjunctivitis
- herpes simplex virus= herpes
- genital papillomavirus (HPV)= laryneal warts
- Candida albicans= oral thrush