LOW-RISK OF POSTCESAREAN SECTION INFECTION IN INSULIN-REQUIRING DIABETIC WOMEN

OBJECTIVE - The purpose of this study was to determine if insulin-requ iring diabetic women undergoing nonelective cesarean section are at hi gher- risk for postoperative infection than nondiabetic women. RESEARC H DESIGN AND METHODS - Medical records of a cohort of insulin-requirin g diabetic women who underwent cesarean section after labor or rupture of membranes and nondiabetic control subjects matched for age and ins urance status were retrospectively reviewed. Data abstracted included maternal characteristics, antepartum, intrapartum, and post partum eve nts. RESULTS - Post-cesarean section infection including endometritis, wound infection, and septic pelvic thrombophlebitis occurred in 10.20 /;, 205 diabetic women and 12.1% of control subjects, in whom antibiot ic prophylaxis was used in 79% of diabetic women and 84%; of control s ubjects. Duration of rupture of membranes was a significant risk facto r for post-cesarean section infection in both groups. CONCLUSIONS - In sulin-requiring diabetic women undergoing nonelective cesarean section with antimicrobial prophylaxis have a rate of postoperative infection similar to that for nondiabetic women.