How to Reduce C-Section-Related Infections

Performing Cesarean sections (C-sections) is a complex procedure, and one that is prone towards resulting in infections. Researchers have determined in a new study that administering antibiotics before the umbilical cord is clamped reduces the incidence of infection.

The study focused specifically on infections at the site of the surgery. Currently, procedure calls for doctors to administer antibiotics only after the umbilical cord is clamped, experts at the Washington University in St. Louis explain.

“We followed more than 8,000 women over an eight-year period, and our findings support giving antibiotics just before a cesarean section to prevent infections,” explains David K. Warren, MD, who is an infectious disease specialist at WUSL.

Researchers published the details of their research, which was conducted on 8,000 women over a period of 8 years, in the August issue of the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.