Maternal Infection and Sepsis Flashcards
(93 cards)
How common is sepsis as a cause of maternal death?
Accounts for 10% of maternal deaths
What are some common viral infections that affect pregnant women?
Rubella, measles, influenza, chickenpox, CMV, parovirus, mumps, herpes simplex, HIV
How is rubella transmitted?
By direct contact or respiratory droplet contact
What are the symptoms of rubella?
Fever, rash, lymphadenopathy, polyarthritis
What can maternal rubella infections cause?
Miscarriage, stillbirth, birth defects
What is the triad of congenital rubella syndrome?
Cataract, deafness, cardiac abnormalities
Is rubella common?
No = MMR vaccine has made it rare
How does the stage of pregnancy affect the outcome of rubella?
<8-10 weeks = 90% risk of CRS/multiple defects
11-20 weeks = 10-20% risk of CRS/single defect
16-20 weeks = low chance of deafness
How is rubella diagnosed?
Detection of rubella specific IgG antibody
Blood IgM should be done within 10 days of exposure
What should be considered if there is rubella infection in the early stages of pregnancy?
Termination of pregnancy = high risk of severe birth defects
What is the treatment of rubella?
Supportive = rest, fluids, paracetamol, avoid contact with other pregnant women
What causes measles?
Paramyxovirus = highly contagious but non-teratogenic
What are the symptoms of measles?
Fever, white spots inside mouth, runny nose, cough, red eyes, red blotchy rash that begins on forehead
What are the complications associated with the high fever that can occur in measles?
IUGR, microcephaly, miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth
What is associated with a high mortality rate in measles?
High mortality rate if mother develops pneumonia or encephalitis
How is measles treated?
Supportive care
What causes chickenpox?
Varicella zoster virus = DNA virus of herpes family
How is chickenpox transmitted?
Mainly via droplets = primary infection rare during pregnancy
How are women with chickenpox during pregnancy managed?
Check immunity = offer varicella zoster Ig within 10 days of exposure
Avoid other pregnant women = infectious until lesions crust
What is the supportive treatment for chickenpox?
Aciclovir if 20+ weeks gestation = 800mg 5x daily for 7 days
How is severe chickenpox treated?
Admitted to hospital for IV aciclovir
What are the complications associated with severe chickenpox?
Hepatitis, encephalitis, pneumonia
How does gestation impact the outcome of chickenpox?
7-28 weeks = foetal varicella syndrome
4 weeks before delivery = neonatal chickenpox
7 days before delivery = neonatal chickenpox with septicaemia and increased mortality
What causes congenital varicella syndrome?
Transplacental infection with chickenpox during pregnancy