Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology (CEOG) is published by IMR Press from Volume 47 Issue 1 (2020). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.
Clinical significance of amniotic fluid bacteriological cultures taken at Caesarean section
To predict postoperative infection after Caesarean section by bacteriological examination of amniotic fluid samples a prospective analysis was performed on amniotic fluid bacteriological results and infectious morbidity in 266 consecutive Caesarean sections. Culture and sensitivity results were analysed in relation to postoperative febrile complications and their antibiotic treatment. One hundred and twelve samples grew bacteria. There was a significantly higher frequency of postoperative pyrexial complications among those patients with a positive amniotic fluid culture (22.3% vs 14.2%). Eighty per cent of amniotic fluid samples with significant bacterial growth provided useful information when antibiotic treatment had been required. Routine amniotic fluid sampling for bacteriology at Caesarean section is of clinical value in the prediction and management of postoperative pyrexial complications.