Puerperal pyrexia may be defined as a temperature of > 38ºC in the first 14 days following delivery

Aetiology

Causes

• Endometritis: most common cause
• Urinary tract infection
• Wound infections (perineal tears + caesarean section)
• Mastitis
• Venous thromboembolism

Management

• If endometritis is suspected the patient should be referred to hospital for intravenous antibiotics (clindamycin and gentamicin until afebrile for greater than 24 hours)