title: Preterm premature rupture of membranes. Nutritional and socioeconomic factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate if there were dietary or socioeconomic factors associated with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this case-control study, women with preterm PROM (n = 46) were compared with healthy pregnant women matched for gestational age and vitamin supplementation. Measurements included fasting homocysteine, red blood cell folate, albumin, creatinine, and complete blood count. Dietary intake was determined by a food frequency questionnaire. Socioeconomic and demographic factors were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences between fasting homocysteine, red blood cell folate, and vitamin B(12) levels and dietary intake between patients and controls. There was lower hemoglobin in women with preterm PROM compared with the controls (P <.001). There was a three-fold increased odds of having a total family income of less than $25,000 (Canadian) (odds ratio 3.1, 95% confidence interval 1.6, 6) in women with preterm PROM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preterm PROM is associated with low maternal hemoglobin and low socioeconomic status. There was no association with nutritional intake. The lower hemoglobin level may be a marker for subclinical infection.
authors.affiliation: University of Toronto, Women's College Hospital, and Mount Sinai Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.forename: Graeme N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Mary Ellen
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Salenieks
authors.forename: Rory
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Windrim
authors.forename: Mark C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009752:Nutritional Status; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011336:Probability; D011379:Prognosis; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors