Low risk of post-cesarean section infection in insulin-requiring diabetic women.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine if insulin-requiring diabetic women undergoing nonelective cesarean section are at higher risk for postoperative infection than nondiabetic women.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Medical records of a cohort of insulin-requiring diabetic women who underwent cesarean section after labor or rupture of membranes and nondiabetic control subjects matched for age and insurance status were retrospectively reviewed. Data abstracted included maternal characteristics, antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum events.

RESULTS

Post-cesarean section infection including endometritis, wound infection, and septic pelvic thrombophlebitis occurred in 10.2% of 205 diabetic women and 12.1% of control subjects, in whom antibiotic prophylaxis was used in 79% of diabetic women and 84% of control subjects. Duration of rupture of membranes was a significant risk factor for post-cesarean section infection in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Insulin-requiring diabetic women undergoing nonelective cesarean section with antimicrobial prophylaxis have a rate of postoperative infection similar to that for nondiabetic women.