title: Prolonged rupture of membranes and neonatal outcome in a developing country.
abstract: The neonatal outcomes in 109 pregnancies complicated by prolonged rupture of the fetal membranes were studied over a 3-year period. The overall neonatal mortality was 29 (26.6%). Nineteen of these deaths were from infections, of which 12 were pneumonia. There was also a high morbidity rate of 68.8%. Neonatal sepsis, cardiorespiratory depression at birth and prematurity were the most significant complications. Forty-eight (44%) of the infants in the study group had an infection, in contrast with three (2.9%) in the control group (p < 0.0001). No protective effect or benefit from prolonged rupture of fetal membranes in relation to the development of respiratory distress syndrome was demonstrated.
mesh_terms: D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009017:Morbidity; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000453:epidemiology