For surveillance of puerperal morbidity, a temperature reading qualifies as puerperal pyrexia when it meets which definition?

• A Any temperature above 37.5 degrees C on a single occasion within 6 weeks of delivery
• B Temperature of 38 degrees C or more recorded only within the first 72 hours
• C Temperature of 39 degrees C or more sustained for 48 hours after delivery
• D Temperature of 38 degrees C or more on any two of the first 10 days, excluding the first 24 hours ✓

Explanation

The standard WHO and Indian textbook definition of puerperal pyrexia is a temperature of 38 degrees C (100.4 degrees F) or more on any two occasions within the first 10 days after delivery, excluding the first 24 hours. This window deliberately excludes transient dehydration fever of early puerperium, killing options A and B. The threshold is 38 degrees C, not 39, and the period extends to 10 days, not 72 hours, because genital sepsis and urinary or breast infection often declare later.

Reference: DC Dutta's Textbook of Obstetrics, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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