Effects of neuraxial labor analgesia on intrapartum maternal fever in full-term pregnancy and its influence on birth outcomes

IntroductionThis study aimed to explore the relationship between neuraxial labor analgesia and intrapartum fever and to demonstrate the influence of maternal fever on perinatal outcomes within 6 weeks after birth.MethodsThis was a secondary analysis of a multicenter prospective cohort study that enrolled women with single- and full-term cephalic pregnancy in northern China. Intrapartum maternal fever was defined as the highest axillary temperature during labor ≥37.5°C. Data on baseline characteristics, maternal variables, and neonatal outcomes were all collected. The association between neuraxial labor analgesia and intrapartum maternal fever was analyzed with logistic regression models, and the cutoff point was identified by the receiver operating characteristic curve.ResultsOf 577 parturients, 74 (12.8%) developed intrapartum fever. Neuraxial analgesia was associated with an increased risk of maternal intrapartum fever with or without adjusting for confounding factors (adjusted OR = 2.68; 95% CI: 1.32–5.47; p = 0.007). Further analysis showed that neuraxial analgesia of