Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894) and his essay on puerperal fever

Doctor, teacher of anatomy, conversationalist, essayist, and poet, in 1843 Holmes combined his medical and literary skills in a masterly dissertation on the epidemiology and prevention of puerperal fever.

Semmelweis and the aetiology of puerperal sepsis 160 years on: an historical review

It is generally accepted that Professor Ignaz Semmelweis was the first to identify the mode of transmission of puerperal sepsis. However no appropriate statistical analysis of Semmelweis's data supporting his theory has been reported. Mean annual percent maternal mortality rates for the Allgemeines Krankenhaus and Dublin Maternity Hospitals (1784-1858) were analysed. The introduction of pathological anatomy at the Allgemeines Krankenhaus in 1823 was associated with increased mortality. After 1840 maternal mortality was higher in Clinic 1 which was staffed by male obstetricians and medical students who, unlike the midwives in Clinic 2, attended autopsies. The introduction of chlorine washing of the male clinicians' hands in Clinic 1 by Semmelweis in 1847 reduced mortality, whereas the cessation of handwashing after Semmelweis left Vienna in 1850 was associated with increased mortality. This statistical analysis supports Semmelweis's hypothesis that 'the cadaveric particles adhering to the hand had ... caused the preponderant mortality in the first Clinic'.

Puerperal Pyrexia: A Review. Part II

Puerperal pyrexia and sepsis are among the leading causes of preventable maternal morbidity and mortality not only in developing countries but in developed countries as well. Most postpartum infections take place after hospital discharge, which is usually 24 hours after delivery. In the absence of postnatal follow-up, as is the case in many developing countries, many cases of puerperal infections can go undiagnosed and unreported. Besides endometritis (endomyometritis or endomyoparametritis), wound infection, mastitis, urinary tract infection, and septic thrombophlebitis are the chief causes of puerperal infections. The predisposing factors leading to the development of sepsis include home birth in unhygienic conditions, low socioeconomic status, poor nutrition, primiparity, anemia, prolonged rupture of membranes, prolonged labor, multiple vaginal examinations in labor, cesarean section, obstetrical maneuvers, retained secundines within the uterus and postpartum hemorrhage. Maternal complications include septicemia, endotoxic shock, peritonitis or abscess formation leading to surgery and compromised future fertility. The transmissions of infecting organisms are typically categorized into nosocomial, exogenous, and endogenous. Nosocomial infections are acquired in hospitals or other health facilities and may come from the hospital environment or from the patient's own flora. Exogenous infections come from external contamination, especially when deliveries take place under unhygienic conditions. Endogenous organisms, consisting of mixed flora colonizing the woman's own genital tract, are also a source of infection in puerperal sepsis. Aseptic precautions, advances in investigative tools and the use of antibiotics have played a major role in reducing the incidence of puerperal infections. Part II of this review describes the best management of wound infection, pelvic abscess, episiotomy infection, thrombophlebitis, mastitis, urinary tract infection, and miscellaneous infections.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians Learning Objectives: After completion of this article, the reader should be able to recall that world wide puerperal sepsis is a leading cause of maternal mortality, state that many of the predisposing factors are preventable, explain that both nosocomial infections as well as exogenous infections are serious factors, and relate that septic techniques and antibiotics can play a major role in reducing the incidence of puerperal infections.

The use of chlorhexidine to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity in low-resource settings

Of the 4 million neonatal deaths and 500,000 maternal deaths that occur annually worldwide, almost 99% are in developing countries and one-third are associated with infections. Implementation of proven interventions and targeted research on a select number of promising high-impact preventative and curative interventions are essential to achieve Millennium Development Goals for reduction of child and maternal mortality. Feasible, simple, low-cost interventions have the potential to significantly reduce the mortality and severe morbidity associated with infection in these settings. Studies of chlorhexidine in developing countries have focused on three primary uses: 1) intrapartum vaginal and neonatal wiping, 2) neonatal wiping alone, and 3) umbilical cord cleansing. A study of vaginal wiping and neonatal skin cleansing with chlorhexidine, conducted in Malawi in the 1990s suggested that chlorhexidine has potential to reduce neonatal infectious morbidity and mortality. A recent trial of cord cleansing conducted in Nepal also demonstrated benefit. Although studies have shown promise, widespread acceptance and implementation of chlorhexidine use has not yet occurred. This paper is derived in part from data presented at a conference on the use of chlorhexidine in developing countries and reviews the available evidence related to chlorhexidine use to reduce mortality and severe morbidity due to infections in mothers and neonates in low-resource settings. It also summarizes issues related to programmatic implementation.

The role of the Doran Building in puerperal fever in Canada

The Doran Building at the Kingston General Hospital, opened in 1894, represents an early Canadian initiative to apply the principles of sanitation, antisepsis, and asepsis to prevent puerperal fever ina freestanding lying-in hospital. This initiative was a response to maternal mortality during the 17th and 18th centuries, when approximately half of maternal deaths were due to puerperal fever. During the 250 years leading up to 1890, an understanding of the clinical nature of puerperal fever, its cause, mode of spread, and means of prevention had gradually developed. Despite this progress, puerperal fever remained a major cause of maternal mortality in the latter part of the 19th century. The Doran Building is a compact example of a pavilion hospital,built as a freestanding facility for women and children, with its own staff. Kenneth Fenwick, who was Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Queen's University and a vigorous advocate of sanitation, antisepsis, and asepsis, established the principles of patient care in the Doran Building during the period 1894 to 1928.His goal was the prevention of maternal mortality due to puerperal fever. During this period, there was a modest increase in the number of deliveries each year to a total of 3111 by 1928. There were 26 direct and indirect maternal deaths, representing a maternal mortality rate of 8.25 per 1000 live births. Puerperal fever accounted for the deaths of three women: one who had delivered in hospital and two who had delivered in the community and had been admitted following delivery. The application of the principles of isolation, sanitation, antisepsis, and asepsis limited the mortality in hospital due to puerperal fever in a manner consistent with the best hospitals elsewhere at that time.

Bacterial complications of postpartum uterine involution in cattle

The bacterial contamination of the postpartum uterus is a frequent finding which by itself does not disturb the anatomical and histological restoration of tubular genital tract. The improper balance between uterine infection and the intrauterine antimicrobial self-defence mechanisms, however, often results in complications, such as puerperal metritis, clinical endometritis, pyometra and subclinical endometritis. After reviewing the bacteriology of uterine involution, and the predisposing factors for its bacterial complications, this paper defines the different clinical forms, and summarizes their pathology, furthermore, the recent progress in diagnostic considerations and principles of current treatments for these diseases of bovine genitals.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of a clean delivery kit intervention in preventing cord infection and puerperal sepsis among neonates and their mothers in rural Mwanza Region, Tanzania

A study was carried out in Misungwi and Kwimba Districts, Tanzania to determine the effectiveness of clean delivery kits in preventing cord infection and puerperal sepsis and to provide qualitative information on community acceptability, correct use, and appropriateness of the kits. This study involved pregnant women aged 18-45 years old. In the delivery kit intervention population, the Maternal and Child Health Aide (MCHA) assigned to the health facility provided pregnant mothers with a clean delivery kit on their first antenatal visit. She explained how to use each of the kit components, with the aid of pictorial instructions included in the kit. The pregnant mothers were asked to convey the information to whoever assisted them during delivery. The MCHA also gave them health education based on the principles of the "six cleans" recognized by WHO (i.e., clean hands, clean perineum, clean delivery surface, clean cord cutting and tying instruments, clean cutting surface). Women received the clean delivery kit free of charge in accordance with the randomised stepped-wedge design schedule. During the first week following delivery, the Village Health Workers (VHWs) from both the intervention and control groups made two visits to the households of mothers who had delivered. They administered questionnaire about delivery to mother and birth attendant. During the two scheduled postpartum visits, those who were suspected to have puerperal sepsis or cord infection of the baby were referred to the health facility clinician for confirmation. Results indicated that use of clean delivery kit had a positive effect on reducing both cord infection and puerperal sepsis. The use of a clean home delivery kit coupled with an educational intervention about the "six cleans" had a significant effect on reducing the incidence of cord infection and puerperal sepsis among women enrolled in the study. In low resource settings where home birth is common and clean delivery supplies are scarce, disposable kits can be made available through health clinics, markets, pharmacies or other channels to help reduce rates of infection.

Use of Vaginally Administered Chlorhexidine During Labor to Improve Pregnancy Outcomes

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to determine the potential for chlorhexidine used as a vaginal and neonatal wash to reduce adverse outcomes of pregnancy, especially in developing countries.

DATA SOURCES

We searched the English literature from January 1950 through October 2005 for all articles related to the use of chlorhexidine.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

Every article on chlorhexidine use in pregnancy and in the newborn period was reviewed in detail. The results of every study in which chlorhexidine was used as a vaginal treatment, with or without a neonatal wash, for all pregnancy outcomes except mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus, are summarized in this review.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION AND RESULTS

Chlorhexidine is a highly effective killer of most bacteria, has an excellent safety profile, rarely is associated with bacterial resistance, is easy to administer, and costs a few cents per application. When used as a vaginal or newborn disinfectant, it clearly reduces bacterial load, including transmission of Group B Streptococcus from the mother to the fetus. Nevertheless, in developed countries, chlorhexidine generally has not been shown to significantly reduce life-threatening maternal or neonatal infections. However, 2 large but not randomized studies, one in Malawi and the other in Egypt, suggest that important reductions in maternal and neonatal sepsis and neonatal mortality may be achievable with vaginal or neonatal chlorhexidine treatment.

CONCLUSION

With 4 million neonates and about 700,000 pregnant or recently pregnant women-mostly in developing countries-dying each year, many from infections originating in the vagina, further study of this highly promising treatment is indicated.

Prophylactic antibiotics for manual removal of retained placenta in vaginal birth

BACKGROUND

Retained placenta is a potentially life-threatening condition because of its association with postpartum haemorrhage. Manual removal of placenta increases the likelihood of bacterial contamination in the uterine cavity.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effectiveness and side-effects of routine antibiotic use for manual removal of placenta in vaginal birth in women who received antibiotic prophylaxis and those who did not and to identify the appropriate regimen of antibiotic prophylaxis for this procedure.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group Trials Register (30 November 2005), CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2005), MEDLINE (from 1966 to January 2005), EMBASE (from 1980 to January 2005), CINAHL (from 1982 to January 2005) and LILACS (from 1982 to January 2005).

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomized controlled trials comparing antibiotic prophylaxis and placebo or non antibiotic use to prevent endometritis after manual removal of placenta in vaginal birth.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

If eligible trials were to be identified, trial quality would be assessed and data would be extracted, unblinded by two review authors independently.

MAIN RESULTS

No studies that met the inclusion criteria were identified.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There are no randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent endometritis after manual removal of placenta in vaginal birth.

History of evidence-based medicine. Oranges, chloride of lime and leeches: barriers to teaching old dogs new tricks

Knowledge translation is the process of taking evidence from research and applying it in clinical practice. In this article I will cite some pivotal moments in the history of medicine to highlight the difficulties and delays associated with getting evidence into practice. These historical examples have much in common with modern medical trials and quality improvement processes. I will also review the reasons why evidence is not used and consider what factors facilitate the uptake of evidence. Understanding these concepts will make it easier for individual clinicians and institutions to change clinical behaviour and provide a starting point for those looking at implementing 'new' practices, new therapies and clinical guidelines. Finally, I will offer a list of criteria that clinicians might choose to consider when deciding on whether or not to adopt a new practice, treatment or concept.

Simpson, Semmelweis, and transformational change

The first anesthetic for childbirth and the first recognition of the importance of hand hygiene in obstetrics coincidentally occurred within 5 months of one another in 1847. More than 150 years later, one would have thought that these milestone events would have been fully integrated into practice. However, individuals resist transformational change, which is defined as a fundamental alteration in their beliefs, attitude, and behavior, even when they are confronted with incontrovertible facts. This resistance to change may explain why, in 2005, a large percentage of health care providers still do not practice acceptable hand hygiene, and the pain of childbirth continues to be extolled by some as a necessary part of womanhood, just as pharmacologic pain relief is discouraged.

Ignac Semmelweis (1818-1865) of Budapest and the prevention of puerperal fever

As a junior obstetrician in Vienna in 1847, Semmelweis discovered the cause of puerperal fever and introduced a method for its prevention. Although his findings were hailed by some as comparable to Jenner's introduction of vaccination, for various reasons his ideas failed to gain general acceptance until after his death.

Reduction in maternal mortality due to sepsis

The present study was undertaken at a rural medical institute in India to analyse the trends in maternal mortality due to sepsis and the factors associated with change, if any. During the study period of 20 years, a total of 37,155 women delivered, 192 deaths occurred and forty deaths (20.83%) were due to sepsis and it's sequlae. It was revealed that there is a definite decrease in the proportion of deaths due to sepsis, to 10% in the last five years from 35% in earlier years. The change seems to be due to the advocacy of clean deliveries and reduction in case fatality because of alterations in medication and earlier surgical intervention. However the percentage contribution of septic abortion has remained the same. Septic abortion continues to exist inspite of all the current laws and discussion about the availability of a liberal law, which permits abortion almost on request. Most of the women who had died due to septic abortion were married (65%). Deaths due to septic abortion, are persisting even in married women and it is a matter of concern for health providers, policy makers and governments.

Timing of prophylactic antibiotic administration in the uninfected laboring gravida: a randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this prospective study was to determine whether the timing of prophylactic antibiotics at cesarean delivery influences maternal/neonatal infectious morbidity.

STUDY DESIGN

In this double-blind placebo-controlled trial, cefazolin was given at skin incision (group A) or at cord clamping (group B). Patients were eligible for the trial if they had labored and required a cesarean delivery.

RESULTS

Over a 30-month period 303 patients with singleton pregnancies entered the trial; 153-group A, 149-group B. Demographics, indication for cesarean delivery (P = .54), and operative time (P = .999), as well as rates of endometritis (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.42-1.07), wound infection (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.45-1.55), neonatal sepis (RR 1.28, 95% CI 0.91-1.79), and NICU admissions (RR 1.28, 95% CI 0.91-1.79) were similar between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

There was no difference in maternal infectious morbidity whether antibiotics were given before skin incision or at cord clamping.

Preterm premature rupture of the membranes: diagnosis and management

Preterm premature rupture of the membranes (preterm PROM) is a common and significant cause of preterm birth and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The obstetric caregiver has the opportunity significantly to alter pregnancy and perinatal outcome for women suffering from this complication. Although management is often predetermined by the presence of clinical infection, vaginal bleeding, labor, or nonreassuring fetal heart-rate pattern on admission, a gestational age-based approach to the management of the stable patient with preterm PROM offers the potential to reduce perinatal infectious and gestational age-dependent morbidity for patients who are amenable to conservative management.

Prophylactic antibiotics for non-laboring patients with intact membranes undergoing cesarean delivery: an economic analysis

OBJECTIVE

We conducted an economic analysis of prophylactic antibiotic administration for elective cesarean delivery.

STUDY DESIGN

We created a decision tree comparing the use of prophylactic antibiotics (cefazolin 1 gm intravenous) with no antibiotic use. We modeled the potential for anaphylaxis, and included outcomes of fever and endometritis. Outcome probabilities and effectiveness of antibiotic administration were derived from published sources. Costs are 2001 estimates derived from our hospital's accounting system. Sensitivity analyses were performed over the range of actual patient costs and 95% CI of the risk and probability estimates.

RESULTS

Cost of an uncomplicated elective cesarean delivery was $1638.57. Fever evaluation added $125.91. Elective procedure complicated by endometritis cost $2327.29. Cefazolin administration cost $1.01. The following estimates were used: relative risk (RR) of endometritis with antibiotics was 0.18 (95% CI 0.07-0.45), fever 0.47 (95% CI 0.32-0.68), risk of endometritis without prophylaxis 4.8% (95% CI 0.9%-43%), and fever without prophylaxis 14.4% (95% CI 4%-33%). Cost of an average case without prophylaxis was $1683.72; prophylaxis reduced this to $1653.06. Sensitivity analysis over the ranges above still yielded cost savings.

CONCLUSION

Administration of prophylactic antibiotics for elective cesarean delivery reduced costs by $30.66 per case, approximately 2% of the total cost. Prophylactic antibiotic administration results in cost savings for elective cesarean delivery.