Exploring the Postpartum Pyrexia Related to Inherited Coagulopathies in a Cohort of Iranian Women

Abstract

Background: Postpartum pyrexia results from various causes with bacterial infection heading the list. However, there are many other possible causes such as bleeding. Congenital deficiency of the coagulation factors causes inherited coagulopathies most of which are rare. Following delivery, the reduction in coagulation factors puts these mothers at greater risk ‎of postpartum excessive bleeding. Objectives: We aimed to assess ‎postpartum pyrexia in bleeding disorder mothers. ‎Methods: This ‎study was conducted on 98 bleeding disorder patients and 199 controls. Using a standardized questionnaire, the data were collected by consulting a specialist. The subject`s medical records during pregnancy and labor were also reviewed. Postpartum fever ‎was defined as temperature >‎ 38°C ‎in the first 10 days after delivery ‎‎‎excluding the first day.‎ The data were analyzed using Chi-square statistical analysis and P < 0.05 was considered statistically ‎significant. Results: Postpartum pyrexia was detected in 11.2% of the patients compared to 4% of the controls. The statistical analysis revealed a significantly higher incidence of postpartum fever among the coagulation disorder patients (P = 0.019). Considering the infection, our data showed that in the patient group, fever was mostly due to (unknown) reasons other than infection. Conclusions: Our results revealed that besides hemorrhagic complications in inherited bleeding disorders, postpartum fever could also be a sign of threat. Early identification and diagnosis of these threats greatly improve the childbirth outcomes in high-risk mothers.