Influencing factors of intrapartum fever after epidural labor analgesia

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate factors influencing intrapartum fever in parturients receiving epidural labor analgesia. METHODS: This study included 410 parturients who received epidural labor analgesia at the authors’ hospital between February 2022 and February 2024. Participants were divided into a fever group (>37.5℃) and a control group (<37.5℃) based on their body temperature post-analgesia. General data, gestational comorbidities, and intrapartum-related conditions were compared. Influencing factors were analyzed using the chi-squared test and logistic regression. RESULTS: Intrapartum fever occurred in 90 parturients (22.0%). Univariate analysis indicated that maternal age (p=0.046), parity (p=0.042), oxytocin use (p=0.041), and timing of analgesia (p<0.001) were associated with intrapartum fever. Multivariate analysis revealed that the timing of analgesia (OR 3.612, 95%CI 1.533–8.510) and amniotic fluid contamination degrees I (OR 1.072, 95%CI 1.012–3.082) and II (OR 2.874, 95%CI 1.901–9.092) were independent risk factors. No significant differences were found between the fever and control groups in body mass index, gestational age, gestational comorbidities, and artificial membrane rupture (p>0.05). Intrapartum fever increased the rate of neonatal fever within 2 h after birth (41.7 vs 18.6%, p<0.05) but did not significantly affect other neonatal health indicators. CONCLUSION: Timing of analgesia and amniotic fluid contamination are significant factors influencing intrapartum fever in parturients receiving epidural labor analgesia.