Sepsis and septic shock in pregnancy.

Sepsis is the leading cause of death in critically ill patients in the United States. Improvements in the critical care management of septic shock have led to a decrease in the mortality rate in the past decade. Septic shock in obstetric patients is rare. Pregnant women as a group are younger and have fewer comorbid conditions. Though little is known regarding the treatment of sepsis and septic shock in pregnancy, the same principles and treatment modalities discussed in this article should govern the management of pregnant women.