Puerperal morbidity in HIV-infected and non-infected women - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia

PURPOSE: to evaluate puerperal morbidity in HIV-infected and HIV non-infected puerperal women. METHODS: longitudinal and controlled study performed from July 2001 to September 2003, in 205 pregnant women admitted for birth delivery at Odete Valadares Maternity, divided in two groups: HIV-infected women (82) and HIV non-infected women (123). Postpartum morbidity evaluation was performed from birth delivery up to 15 days postpartum. Morbidity was categorized as minor (postpartum hemorrhage, fever and endometritis) or major (blood transfusion, deep alterations of the surgical wound and indication for surgical intervention), and was evaluated both according to the presence or absence of HIV infection and the mode of delivery. Continuous variables were analyzed by the Student’s t-test, and categorical variables were analyzed by chi2 and Fisher’s exact test using Epi-Info 2000 (CDC, Atlanta). RESULTS: puerperal morbidity was observed in 18 patients from the HIV group (22%) and in 17 patients from the control group (14%) with predominance of minor morbidity, without statistical significance, except for an increased risk of endometritis in the HIV group (RR=1.05; CI 95%:1.01-1.10). No significant difference was observed concerning the mode of delivery between the two groups. There were only two major morbidities: blood transfusion and necrotizing fasciitis. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-infected and non-infected puerperal women have a similar morbidity, despite the lower morbidity in the HIV non-infected group and the increased risk of endometritis in the HIV group. Clinical puerperium follow-up is a strategic control tool for an early identification of maternal morbidity.