Postpartum patient with toxic shock syndrome.

A case is presented of postpartum toxic shock syndrome following a normal spontaneous vaginal delivery. Toxic shock syndrome to date has been reported in men, women, and children, the preponderance of cases (96%) being of women and usually at or near menses. Herein is reported a case of toxic shock syndrome occurring 14 hours post partum in a healthy young woman. This disease, which involves at least 3 major organ systems and also results in shock and a desquamating exanthem, must be borne in mind by all who care for the parturient. It is postulated that staphylococci plus blood and/or other unknown factors precipitate the disease.