Fever in pregnancy and its maternal and fetal outcomes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20175273Keywords:
IUGR, Fever, MeconiumAbstract
Background: Contemporary obstetrics has witnessed improved maternal and fetal outcomes, owing to several advances. Any source of maternal hyperthermia that results in significant core temperature increase (>38.9°C), could potentially affect the fetus. Hence a study was planned to know the effect of fever on maternal and fetal outcome.
Methods: This was a retrospective cohort analysis of case-records, of patients admitted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at tertiary care centre, Mumbai, between May 2007 and October 2009. The main parameters of assessment included incidence of fever in pregnancy, causes of fever, effect of episode(s) of fever on maternal and fetal outcomes, effect of specific infection on maternal and fetal outcomes, impact of fever on antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum phases
Results: The incidence of fever was 10.5%. the common cause of fever was malaria (15%), urinary tract infection (14%), viral (14%), respiratory tract infection (18%), and typhoid (7%). Seventy eight percent had fever in third trimester. The most common antenatal complication observed was preterm (13%), premature rupture of membrane (12%), oligohydramnios (8%), intrauterine growth retardation (26%). The rate of LSCS was 13% in study group and the most common indication was fetal distress and meconium stained amniotic fluid.
Conclusions: In the present study on fever during pregnancy and its maternal and fetal outcomes, fever was associated with a definite impact on maternal and fetal outcomes. Preterm and IUGR were the most common fetal complications. Duration of fever was linearly associated with poor outcomes. Different causes of fever also had different impact on maternal and fetal outcome. Preterm IUGR, MSAF were more common with malaria and tuberculosis. Abortion was more commonly seen in first trimester fever, whereas preterm, PROM in the third trimester fever. Hence it is suggested that fever during pregnancy needs to be promptly investigated and treated to have a better outcome.
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