Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios for severe sepsis associated with delivery factors in postpartum cases compared with controls.

*Percentage of individuals with complete data.**Adjusted for all factors in the table as well as age, ethnic group, socio-economic group, parity, multiple gestation, history of urinary tract infection, pre-existing medical problems, and febrile illness or antibiotics in the 2 wk prior to presentation.***Complications of delivery (percent cases versus controls) include episiotomy (12.3% versus 13.9%), tears (second to fourth degree) (6.5% versus 18.2%), manual removal of placenta (1.3% versus 1.5%), postpartum haemorrhage (4.3% versus 2.3%), and other complications of cesarean section (uterine angle tear, difficult delivery of infant, ureter/bladder damage, bowel perforation, multiple adhesions, other) (10.4% versus 0.7%).