Epidemiological correlates of preterm premature rupture of membranes.
OBJECTIVE
To study the clinical risk factors for preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM).


METHODS
We conducted a case-control study of 138 patients with PROM between 24 and 35 weeks' gestation and 267 control subjects.


RESULTS
In stepwise multiple logistic regression models, the population of cases was more likely to be of low social class. Other risk factors for PROM were smoking in pregnancy, 1st or 2nd-3rd trimester hemorrhages, cervical incompetence and a documented cervico-vaginal infection during index pregnancy. First trimester hemorrhage and a documented cervico-vaginal infection during index pregnancy were associated with preterm PROM both in nulliparous and in multiparous women.


CONCLUSIONS
Few potentially remediable risk factors are associated with the occurrence of preterm PROM.
Spinillo
A
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, University of Pavia, Italy.
Nicola
S
S
Piazzi
G
G
Ghazal
K
K
Colonna
L
L
Baltaro
F
F
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000453:epidemiology; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012923:Social Class