A specific form of maternal sepsis is known as puerperal sepsis, an infection which is introduced during childbirth, but manifests in the post partum period within thefirst 42 days after delivery. It is of special importance
because it is a serious, life threatening disease of the
mother with infection of the womb and abdominal cavity,
bloodstream infection, fever and pain [5]. In industrialized countries, puerperal sepsis is rare, causing 2.1% of
maternal deaths. In Latin America and the Caribbean, its
contribution to maternal mortality is 7.7%, ranking lower
than hypertensive disorders, haemorrhage, obstructed
labour and abortion. In Africa and Asia, it is the second
commonest cause of maternal mortality after haemorrhage, causing 9.7% and 11.6% of deaths respectively [6].
Other infections resulting from childbirth cause a considerable burden of morbidity and include infections of the
genital tract, Caesarean section wound infections and
urinary tract infections, but are usually not life threatening.