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puerperal |
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puerperal /pu·er·per·al/ (-al) pertaining to a puerpera or to the puerperium.
puerperal [pyo̅o̅·er′pərəl] Etymology: L, puerpus, childbirth 1 pertaining to the period immediately after childbirth. 2 pertaining to a woman (a puerpera) who has just given birth to an infant. puerperal [pu-er´per-al] pertaining to a puerpera or to the puerperium. puerperal fever an infectious, sometimes fatal, disease of childbirth; until the mid-19th century, this dreaded, then-mysterious illness could sweep through a hospital maternity ward and kill most of the new mothers. Today strict aseptic hospital techniques have made the condition uncommon in most parts of the world, except in unusual circumstances such as illegally induced abortion. Called also puerperal sepsis and childbed fever.
Puerperal fever results from an infection, usually streptococcal, originating in the birth canal and affecting the endometrium. This infection can spread throughout the body, causing septicemia. The preliminary symptoms are fever, chills, excessive bleeding, foul lochia, and abdominal and pelvic pain. In acute stages, the pain spreads to the legs and chest; complications may be serious or even fatal. Treatment consists mainly of administration of antibiotics, which in most instances promptly clear up the infection. If the disease has progressed to an acute stage before treatment begins, blood transfusions may be necessary. puerperal (pūer´p adj relating to or occurring during childbirth or the period immediately following. See also postpartum.
puerperal pertaining to a puerpera or to the puerperium. puerperal fever puerperal laminitis see laminitis. puerperal metritis infection of the uterus in a puerperal female. puerperal psychosis 1. whelping bitches sometimes display frenzied, destructive behavior and aggression. 2. sows, see farrowing hysteria. puerperal tetanus see tetanus. puerperal tetany see puerperal tetany. Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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