Effect of introduction of sulphonamides on the incidence of and mortality from puerperal sepsis in a Swedish county hospital.

The effect of sulphonamides on the incidence of and mortality from puerperal sepsis in a county hospital between 1931 and 1950 was evaluated in a retrospective cohort study. The impact of antibiotics was evaluated by epidemiological methods. The incidence of puerperal sepsis decreased following the introduction of sulphonamides. The risk of contracting puerperal sepsis was reduced 80%. Whereas the fatality rate remained unaffected, patients treated with antibiotics had a significantly shorter duration of fever.