Preterm premature rupture of membranes. Nutritional and socioeconomic factors.
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.
Ferguson
Sarah E
SE
University of Toronto, Women's College Hospital, and Mount Sinai Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
Smith
Graeme N
GN
Salenieks
Mary Ellen
ME
Windrim
Rory
R
Walker
Mark C
MC
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