Double-blind; placebo-controlled trial of piperacillin prophylaxis in preterm membrane rupture.
OBJECTIVE
We attempted to test whether antibiotic therapy prolongs pregnancy in preterm premature rupture of membranes, because preterm premature rupture of membranes is frequently associated with chorionic-decidual infection.


METHODS
Women with preterm premature rupture of membranes and a singleton gestation at 24 to 34 completed weeks were randomized to receive either piperacillin 3 gm or placebo intravenously every 6 hours for 72 hours and were managed conservatively until spontaneous delivery, chorioamnionitis, or fetal distress.


RESULTS
Between January 1987 and January 1992, a total of 75 patients were randomized to receive piperacillin (n = 38) or placebo (n = 37). There were no differences between the piperacillin group and the placebo group in mean gestational age at randomization (30.2 +/- 3 vs 30.3 +/- 2.9 weeks). However, a greater number of patients had pregnancy prolonged beyond 7 days (42.1% vs 10.8% p = 0.005) and the mean latency period was significantly prolonged (11.4 +/- 18.8 vs 6.1 +/- 13.6 days, p = 0.001) in the piperacillin group compared with the control groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of intravenous piperacillin for 72 hours in preterm premature rupture of membranes significantly prolongs the latency period between membrane rupture and delivery.
Lockwood
C J
CJ
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York.
Costigan
K
K
Ghidini
A
A
Wein
R
R
Chien
D
D
Brown
B L
BL
Alvarez
M
M
Cetrulo
C L
CL
D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007902:Length of Stay; D015993:Life Tables; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010878:Piperacillin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010878:Piperacillin