Perinatal sepsis.

Perinatal sepsis is one of the most challenging problems encountered in obstetric and intensive care. Sepsis is a clinical diagnosis and a serious pathologic process involving widespread release of inflammatory mediators that may lead to organ injury or rapid deterioration. Normal physiologic maternal adaptations in the intrapartal and early postpartal period may mask the subtle signs of sepsis. Attention to risk factors and early detection may improve outcome of the woman with perinatal sepsis.