What investigations are recommended to confirm a diagnosis of puerperal sepsis in a postpartum woman?

To confirm a diagnosis of puerperal sepsis in a postpartum woman, the following investigations are recommended:

• Obtain microbiological specimens for culture, including blood cultures, before starting antimicrobial treatment to identify the causative organism ¹.
• Carry out venous blood tests including blood gas analysis (with glucose and lactate measurement), full blood count, C-reactive protein, urea and electrolytes, creatinine, liver function tests, and a clotting screen to assess the systemic impact of infection and organ function ².
• Consider further investigations such as imaging if clinically indicated to identify the source of infection ¹.

These investigations should be performed promptly to guide antimicrobial therapy and management decisions in puerperal sepsis ¹,².