Postoperative morbidity associated with cesarean delivery among human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive women

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the complication rates asso ciated with cesarean delivery between human immunodeficiency virus-seroposi tive women with those among a matched group of human immunodeficiency virus -seronegative subjects. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a case-control study of 86 human immunodeficienc y virus-seropositive women undergoing cesarean delivery between the years 1 992 and 2000 at a large, urban teaching institution and a control group of 86 human immunodeficiency virus-seronegative women matched for age, race, y ear of delivery, and delivery indications. Data were analyzed with the chi (2) test and odds ratios. Among human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive w omen, complications were further stratified according to maternal disease s tatus and use of antiretroviral therapy. RESULTS: Human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive women were significantly more likely than control women to have minor postoperative complications ( 66.3% vs 41.8%; odds ratio, 2.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.40-6.10), of w hich febrile morbidity was the most common (62.8% vs 42.7%; P = .003). Ther e was no difference between the groups in the rate of major complications ( 9.3% vs 3.4%; odds ratio, 2.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.65-14.06). Zidov udine use was associated with a decrease in the maternal morbidity rate (od ds ratio, 0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.07-1.03). CONCLUSION: Postoperative morbidity among human immunodeficiency virus-sero positive women undergoing cesarean delivery was not different from that in a matched control population.