title: Duration of the latency period in preterm premature rupture of the membranes. Maternal and neonatal consequences of expectant management.
abstract: 111 pregnancies complicated with premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) at a gestational age between 20 and 34 weeks, were observed prospectively with expectant management. Median duration of the latency period was 7 (0-109) days. The duration of the latency period was inversely related to the gestational age at PROM. Intra-uterine death ensued in 9.9% of the pregnancies. Clinical chorioamnionitis ensued in 12.6% of the pregnancies. Eight (7.6%) neonates developed sepsis. None of the babies died as a consequence of sepsis alone. Of the 43 (41.0%) neonates who developed idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS), 8 (7.6%) babies died. The perinatal mortality rate was 18.6%. The study seems to justify the expectant management of PROM pregnancies of less than 34 weeks of gestation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, National Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: P O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Dale
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanbo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bendvold
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Moe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000150:complications; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000209:etiology; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000150:complications; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications; D013997:Time Factors