Management of sepsis in pregnancy: a review of the literature

Manejo de la sepsis en el embarazo. Revisión de la literatura

Sepsis is considered a common condition and a major cause of death. Due to its epidemiologic features the treating physician must make a timely diagnosis for patients are at a high risk of developing complications or dying. Pregnant women are more vulnerable to infection due to the physiologic and hormonal changes they undergo. Early initiation of treatment when sepsis is recognized is critical to prevent mother or fetal death. Thus, the objective of this study was to conduct a review of interventions in pregnant patients with sepsis admitted to the ICU, using the following search headings: clear definition of sepsis in pregnancy, risk factors, therapeutic intervention at the ICU and consequences for the fetus during the intervention. We concluded that the management of sepsis in pregnant women is very similar to that in non-gravid women. There is a lack of evidenced-based studies focused in always protecting life for it implies the preservation of not only one human life but two lives.

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