<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<p>Sepsis is still one of the leading causes of maternal mortality and morbidity, being the third most common cause of maternal death, after hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders. Maternal sepsis may appear due to obstetric causes such as: chorioamnionitis, endometritis, abortion-related uterine infections, and wound infections. For non-obstetric causes of maternal sepsis, the most common are urinary tract infections and respiratory tract infections. This mini summary presents the challenges in early diagnosis and prompt management, caused by pregnancy physiological changes. Physiological alterations during pregnancy, like an increase in white cell count, heart rate, and respiratory rate, associated with a decrease in blood pressure are also known signs of infection, making the diagnosis of sepsis during pregnancy more difficult. The three pillars of sepsis treatment are early antibiotics, vital organ support and fluid therapy, the last one being controversial. A more restrictive approach for fluid resuscitation could be more suitable for pregnant women, considering the risk of fluid overload and pulmonary edema. Criteria for early recognition and appropriate management customized for maternal sepsis are mandatory.</p>
</abstract>

Sepsis is still one of the leading causes of maternal mortality and morbidity, being the third most common cause of maternal death, after hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders. Maternal sepsis may appear due to obstetric causes such as: chorioamnionitis, endometritis, abortion-related uterine infections, and wound infections. For non-obstetric causes of maternal sepsis, the most common are urinary tract infections and respiratory tract infections. This mini summary presents the challenges in early diagnosis and prompt management, caused by pregnancy physiological changes. Physiological alterations during pregnancy, like an increase in white cell count, heart rate, and respiratory rate, associated with a decrease in blood pressure are also known signs of infection, making the diagnosis of sepsis during pregnancy more difficult. The three pillars of sepsis treatment are early antibiotics, vital organ support and fluid therapy, the last one being controversial. A more restrictive approach for fluid resuscitation could be more suitable for pregnant women, considering the risk of fluid overload and pulmonary edema. Criteria for early recognition and appropriate management customized for maternal sepsis are mandatory.

Maternal sepsis - challenges in diagnosis and management: A mini-summary of the literature

Doctoral School, George Emil Palade University of Medicine

Department of Epidemiology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures

Acta Marisiensis - Seria Medica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Sepsis is still one of the leading causes of maternal mortality and morbidity, being the third most common cause of maternal death, after hemorrhage and...

Maternal sepsis - challenges in diagnosis and management: A mini-summary of the literature

Published Online: Apr 03, 2024

Page range: 3 - 7

Received: Sep 14, 2023

Accepted: Dec 10, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/amma-2024-0001

Keywords
maternal sepsis, pregnancy, early diagnosis, maternal death

© 2024 Mihaela Alexandra Budianu et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Maternal sepsis - challenges in diagnosis and management: A mini-summary of the literature

Published Online: Apr 03, 2024

Page range: 3 - 7

Received: Sep 14, 2023

Accepted: Dec 10, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/amma-2024-0001

Keywordsmaternal sepsis, pregnancy, early diagnosis, maternal death

© 2024 Mihaela Alexandra Budianu et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
maternal sepsis, pregnancy, early diagnosis, maternal death