Maternal infections during the peripartum period are not only life-threatening for the mother but also increase the risk of neonatal sepsis. In addition, the proportion of deaths caused by infection during this period has increased over time, whereas deaths from other causes, such as hemorrhage and preeclampsia, have remained stable or decreased. 1 As a result, ways to reduce maternal sepsis, thereby decreasing the risk of maternal death, are being investigated, including evaluating the use of prophylactic antibiotics in women giving birth.
This Journal Watch summarizes a study entitled " Azithromycin to Prevent Sepsis or Death in Women Planning a Vaginal Birth" , published in T he New England Journal of Medicine, 2023 . 2 ##What was the rationale of the study?## Maternal infections, particularly sepsis, during the peripartum period, are among the top three causes of maternal death…
