Using prophylactic antibiotics in cesarean-section delivery other than the recommended antibiotics, including cefazolin, was associated with a higher risk of surgical site infections, a study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found.
The researchers analyzed over 6,500 C-section deliveries that occurred from 2012-17.
Although the use of recommended alternative antibiotics was not linked to an increased risk over cefazoline of a composite of several infections, including cellulitis, deep wound infection and sepsis — alternative antibiotic use was revealed to be linked to increased odds of contracting cellulitis.
"Both standard alternative and inappropriate alternatives were associated with increased odds of surgical site infections compared with cefazolin," the researchers wrote.