Risk factors for febrile morbidity associated with cesarean section.

The incidence of post-cesarean section febrile morbidity was prospectively studied in 774 patients undergoing cesarean section during 1 year. The overall morbidity was 20.5%. Postoperative endometritis was found in 9.8%, bacteriuria in 7.3%, and wound infection in 6.8% of the patients. A highly significant (P < .001) correlation between the rate of postoperative endometritis and duration of labor, number of vaginal examinations, and number of rectal examinations was found. Parity (P < .01), rupture of the membranes (P < .05), and skill of the operator (P < .05) were significantly correlated to the rate of postoperative endometritis. Internal fetal monitoring, hemoglobin concentrations, birth weight of the child, and the taking of fetal blood samples did not affect the rate of endometritis.