Neonatal outcome still poor after membrane rupture in pregnancy

Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Article Date: 20 Feb 2004 - 0:00 PDT


Pregnancies that suffer a premature rupture of the membranes at 24 weeks or less are usually prolonged. Neonatal outcome is still poor, say researchers.

A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) occurs in as many as 4.5% of pregnancies.

To establish neonatal short-term outcome following such particularly early PPROM, the authors analysed databases and identified 46 patients.

All were hospitalized at 24 weeks and given antibiotics and antenatal steroids.

Twenty seven of 57 infants (47%) survived after a median hospital stay of 71 days. Most deaths (63%) were ascribed to extreme prematurity. Ten of the survivors (37%) had serious sequelae such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

The authors say the routine use of antibiotics and steroids appears to have led to an improvement in survival after early PPROM but 'morbidity remains high.'

Reference: Dinsmoor M et al (2004) Outcomes after expectant management of extremely preterm premature rupture of the membranes Am J Obstet Gynecol 190 (1) 183-187

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