title: Detection of premature rupture of the membranes.
abstract: One of the most common problems an obstetrician faces is evaluation of a patient for PROM. Proper assessment of the patient requires a careful integration of history, physical examination, and clinical testing. The most commonly used tests are analysis of vaginal pH with nitrazine paper and evaluation of vaginal secretions with the arborization test. When history, nitrazine, and arborization testing are used in combination, 90% of cases will be diagnosed correctly. When the diagnosis is questionable, other modalities, including ultrasound evaluation and intraamniotic dye injection, should be used as indicated.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Davidson
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D001391:Azo Compounds; D003460:Crystallization; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007203:Indigo Carmine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011247:Pregnancy; D014621:Vagina / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001391:Azo Compounds; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; C013617:nitrazine yellow; D007203:Indigo Carmine