Intrauterine fetal demise due to streptococcal toxic shock syndrome: a case report.

BACKGROUND

Toxic shock syndrome caused by group A streptococci (GAS) is rare around the time of delivery, but it may predispose pregnant women to a life-threatening condition.

METHODS

A 32-year-old primigravida at 21 weeks of gestation was taken to our hospital with acute severe abdominal pain following fever. On admission the fetus was found to be dead, and intrauterine fetal demise due to placental abruption was suspected. An emergency cesarean section found no sign of placental abruption. Soon after the surgery, the patient went into shock but was successfully treated with intensive care. Although repeated blood cultures failed to detect microorganisms, the patient was positive for streptococcal pyrogenic toxin A, which is a superantigen of GAS.

CONCLUSIONS

Once GAS infection is suspected, regardless of negative blood cultures, supportive care in the intensive care unit is mandatory.