What is puerperal fever?

Puerperal fever, also known as puerperal infection, is a common puerperal complication with an incidence of about 6%, which is one of the four major causes of maternal death. Most of them occur in women who have cesarean section. In terms of time, the incidence of puerperal fever is higher in summer.

Definition of puerperal fever

Puerperal fever, or puerperal infection, refers to local or systemic infection caused by pathogens invading reproductive tract during puerperal period. Puerperal disease refers to measuring the body temperature four times a day with an interval of four hours within 10 days after delivery, and the body temperature reaches or exceeds 38℃ twice. Puerperal disease rate is mostly caused by puerperal fever, and it can also be caused by urinary system infection, respiratory system infection and mastitis.

Puerperal fever is a common puerperal complication, and its incidence rate is about 6%. Especially in recent years, with the increase of cesarean section rate, the incidence of puerperal fever has also increased. Puerperal fever still poses a serious threat to women. Puerperal fever, postpartum hemorrhage, pregnancy complicated with heart disease and severe hypertension during pregnancy are still the four major causes of maternal death.