Progress in epidural labor analgesia-related intrapartum fever

Abstract

Gravidas receiving epidural labor analgesia are at an increased risk for intrapartum fever due to unknown mechanism, which may be related to thermoregulation, non-infectious inflammatory, continued use of local anesthetic agents and trauma from epidural catheter insertion. Epidural labor analgesia-related intrapartum fever is associated with excessive obstetric interventions, higher rates of cesarean and assisted vaginal deliveries, unnecessary maternal and neonatal exposure to antibiotics, and adverse neonatal outcomes. Hence it is imperative to explore its etiology and shorten the labor with a safe and effective measure to reduce the occurrence of intrapartum fever. Key words: Analgesia, epidural; Analgesia, obstetrical; Fever