title: Maternal and neonatal outcome associated with prolonged premature rupture of membranes below 26 weeks' gestation.
abstract: The outcomes of 41 patients with prolonged, premature rupture of membranes in the midtrimester (19.5 to 26 weeks) managed conservatively were retrospectively analyzed. The maternal obstetric history was notable for a high incidence of second trimester bleeding and a prior history of preterm delivery. The mean duration of ruptured membranes before delivery was 10.6 days and was unrelated to gestational age. Delivery occurred within 2 weeks in 75% of the cases. The major indication for delivery was chorioamnionitis in 71% of patients. The only major maternal morbidity was chorioamnionitis. The overall perinatal survival was 47%, but in infants exceeding 24 weeks' gestation or 500 gm weight, the survival increased to 75%. No significant limb abnormalities, facial anomalies, growth retardation, or pulmonary hypoplasia occurred in the study population. Long-term follow-up demonstrated that 28% of infants exhibited major neurologic or developmental deficits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, New York 14642.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Rib
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Sherer
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Woods
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000150:complications*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009017:Morbidity; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors