---
title: "Postpartum infections in Norway 2012–2020: incidence trends and key risk factors"
id: "pubmed-42757709"
canonical_url: "https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/pubmed-42757709"
content_type: "clinical_feed_article"
specialty: "Critical Care"
source_name: "PubMed / NCBI"
source_url: "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/"
doi: "10.1111/aogs.70355"
published_at: "2026-09-18T00:00:00.000Z"
evidence_level: "Journal Article"
license: "CC-BY-NC-4.0 / Informational Use"
---
# Postpartum infections in Norway 2012–2020: incidence trends and key risk factors
## Provenance & Clinical Metadata
- **Canonical URL:** https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/pubmed-42757709
- **Specialty:** [Critical Care](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/critical-care.md)
- **Primary Source:** PubMed / NCBI
- **Source URL:** [Original Journal Publication](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/)
- **DOI:** [10.1111/aogs.70355](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Faogs.70355)
- **Published At:** 2026-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- **Evidence Rating:** Journal Article
## Executive GIST (TL;DR)
- This nationwide historical cohort study included all deliveries in Norway from 2012 to 2020 using linked data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway, the Norwegian Patient Registry, and Statistics Norway. - Two coded outcomes were analysed: **endometritis/puerperal sepsis (O85)** and **other postpartum infections (O86)**; the O85 code does not distinguish endometritis from puerperal sepsis and endometritis predominates. - Among 516,874 deliveries, there were 5,942 cases (1.15%) of O85 and 8,833 cases (1.71%) of O86. - The incidence of O85 rose from 0.93% in 2012 to 1.38% in 2020 (significant trend, p < 0.001). - Delivery-related factors showed the strongest adjusted associations with both outcomes; notably **emergency cesarean section** (adjusted RR for O85 2.8; O86 5.1) and **postpartum hemorrhage** (adjusted RR for O85 3.2; O86 2.0). - Non–delivery-specific risk factors associated with increased risk included **multifetal gestation**, **obesity**, **nulliparity**, and maternal **single status** (adjusted RRs roughly 1.2–2.5 as reported). - **Chorioamnionitis/intrapartum infection** had a strong association with postpartum infections (adjusted RR for O85 5.7; O86 3.2); incidence of chorioamnionitis/intrapartum infection increased over the study period (p < 0.001). - Postpartum hemorrhage incidence also increased over time (p < 0.001). - Authors conclude postpartum infections are common and that delivery-related factors are principal targets for prevention; they recommend revision of the coding system to differentiate puerperal sepsis from endometritis for improved surveillance. - Details beyond the abstract (e.g., full covariate list, absolute risk differences, or subgroup analyses) were not reported in the provided source abstract.
## Clinical Analysis & Structured Key Points
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Online ahead of print. # Incidence and risk factors for postpartum infections: A Norwegian cohort study, 2012-2020 [Kjerstine Røe](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=R%C3%B8e+K&cauthor_id=42757709)[ 1 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#full-view-affiliation-1 "Faculty of Medicine, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.")[ 2 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#full-view-affiliation-2 "Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway."), [Ingvil Krarup Sørbye](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=S%C3%B8rbye+IK&cauthor_id=42757709)[ 3 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#full-view-affiliation-3 "Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.")[ 4 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#full-view-affiliation-4 "Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway."), [Cecilie Fredvik Torkildsen](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Torkildsen+CF&cauthor_id=42757709)[ 2 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#full-view-affiliation-2 "Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.")[ 5 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#full-view-affiliation-5 "Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.")[ 6 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#full-view-affiliation-6 "Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany."), [Anders Engeland](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Engeland+A&cauthor_id=42757709)[ 1 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#full-view-affiliation-1 "Faculty of Medicine, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.")[ 7 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#full-view-affiliation-7 "Department of Chronic Diseases, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Bergen, Norway."), [Hilde Marie Engjom](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Engjom+HM&cauthor_id=42757709)[ 8 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#full-view-affiliation-8 "Department of Health Promotion, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Bergen, Norway."), [Roy Miodini Nilsen](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Nilsen+RM&cauthor_id=42757709)[ 9 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#full-view-affiliation-9 "Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway."), [Kari Klungsøyr](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Klungs%C3%B8yr+K&cauthor_id=42757709)[ 1 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#full-view-affiliation-1 "Faculty of Medicine, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.")[ 8 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#full-view-affiliation-8 "Department of Health Promotion, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Bergen, Norway.") Affiliations Expand ### Affiliations * 1 Faculty of Medicine, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. * 2 Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway. * 3 Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. * 4 Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. * 5 Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. * 6 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany. * 7 Department of Chronic Diseases, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Bergen, Norway. * 8 Department of Health Promotion, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Bergen, Norway. * 9 Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway. * PMID: **42757709** * DOI: [ 10.1111/aogs.70355 ](https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.70355) Item in Clipboard # Incidence and risk factors for postpartum infections: A Norwegian cohort study, 2012-2020 Kjerstine Røe et al. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2026. Show details Display options Display options Format Abstract PubMed PMID Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand Actions * [ Search in PubMed ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=%22Acta+Obstet+Gynecol+Scand%22%5Bjour%5D&sort=date&sort_order=desc) * [ Search in NLM Catalog ](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nlmcatalog?term=%22Acta+Obstet+Gynecol+Scand%22%5BTitle+Abbreviation%5D) * [ Add to Search ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/) . 2026 Sep 18. doi: 10.1111/aogs.70355. Online ahead of print. ### Authors [Kjerstine Røe](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=R%C3%B8e+K&cauthor_id=42757709)[ 1 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#short-view-affiliation-1 "Faculty of Medicine, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.")[ 2 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#short-view-affiliation-2 "Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway."), [Ingvil Krarup Sørbye](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=S%C3%B8rbye+IK&cauthor_id=42757709)[ 3 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#short-view-affiliation-3 "Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.")[ 4 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#short-view-affiliation-4 "Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway."), [Cecilie Fredvik Torkildsen](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Torkildsen+CF&cauthor_id=42757709)[ 2 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#short-view-affiliation-2 "Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.")[ 5 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#short-view-affiliation-5 "Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.")[ 6 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#short-view-affiliation-6 "Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany."), [Anders Engeland](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Engeland+A&cauthor_id=42757709)[ 1 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#short-view-affiliation-1 "Faculty of Medicine, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.")[ 7 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#short-view-affiliation-7 "Department of Chronic Diseases, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Bergen, Norway."), [Hilde Marie Engjom](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Engjom+HM&cauthor_id=42757709)[ 8 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#short-view-affiliation-8 "Department of Health Promotion, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Bergen, Norway."), [Roy Miodini Nilsen](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Nilsen+RM&cauthor_id=42757709)[ 9 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#short-view-affiliation-9 "Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway."), [Kari Klungsøyr](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Klungs%C3%B8yr+K&cauthor_id=42757709)[ 1 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#short-view-affiliation-1 "Faculty of Medicine, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.")[ 8 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42757709/#short-view-affiliation-8 "Department of Health Promotion, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Bergen, Norway.") ### Affiliations * 1 Faculty of Medicine, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. * 2 Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway. * 3 Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. * 4 Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. * 5 Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. * 6 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany. * 7 Department of Chronic Diseases, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Bergen, Norway. * 8 Department of Health Promotion, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Bergen, Norway. * 9 Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway. * PMID: **42757709** * DOI: [ 10.1111/aogs.70355 ](https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.70355) Item in Clipboard Cite Display options Display options Format Abstract PubMed PMID ## Abstract **Introduction:** Few epidemiological studies have examined postpartum infections in the Nordic countries. This study aimed to assess the incidence and risk factors for postpartum infections in Norway. **Material and methods:** We conducted a historical cohort study including all deliveries in Norway from 2012 to 2020, using linked nationwide data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway, the Norwegian Patient Registry, and Statistics Norway. We defined two outcomes: endometritis/puerperal sepsis (O85, International Classification of Diseases 10th version (ICD-10); the code does not differentiate between endometritis and puerperal sepsis, and endometritis predominates) and other postpartum infections (O86, ICD-10). Associations were estimated as relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using log-binomial regression. **Results:** Among 516 874 deliveries, we identified 5942 cases (1.15%) of endometritis/puerperal sepsis (O85) and 8833 (1.71%) of other postpartum infections (O86). The incidence of endometritis/puerperal sepsis increased over time from 0.93% in 2012 to 1.38% in 2020 (test for trend, p 12 hours) at term and infectious outcomes: a retrospective cohort study. ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38871240/) Abu Shqara R, Nakhleh Francis Y, Lowenstein L, Frank Wolf M.Abu Shqara R, et al.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2024 Sep;231(3):361.e1-361.e10. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2024.05.054. Epub 2024 Jun 11.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2024.PMID: 38871240 [ See all similar articles ](htt
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