Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome and Sepsis in the Pregnant Patient
The chapter “Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome and Sepsis in the Pregnant Patient” reviews diagnostic criteria for sepsis in pregnant women, as well as the etiology, risk factors, workup, and treatment of this preventable and treatable cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. It also briefly reviews the history and epidemiology of sepsis. It compares the original diagnostic criteria for systemic inflammatory response syndrome established in 1992, the sepsis diagnostic criteria from the Surviving Sepsis Campaign, and the Sepsis in Obstetrics Score. It discusses the initial workup and resuscitation, fluid management, vasopressor choice and dosing, and antimicrobial treatment for pregnant women with sepsis. It also reviews the obstetric implications of septic parturients.