title: Duration of antibiotic therapy after preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of 3 days versus 7 days of ampicillin in prolonging gestation for at least 7 days in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM).
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a randomized clinical trial comparing 3 days of ampicillin with 7 days ampicillin in patients with PPROM. Our primary outcome was the prolongation of pregnancy for at least 7 days. Secondary outcomes included rates of chorioamnionitis, postpartum endometritis, and neonatal morbidity and mortality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-eight patients were randomly selected. There was no statistically significant difference in the ability to achieve a 7-day latency (relative risk 0.83, 95% CI 0.51-1.38). In addition, there was no statistically significant difference in the rates of chorioamnionitis, endometritis, and our composite neonatal morbidity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with PPROM, length of antibiotic therapy does not change the rate of a 7-day latency or affect the rate of chorioamnionitis, postpartum endometritis, or neonatal morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, USA. sysegel@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Sally Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Segel
authors.forename: Annette M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Miles
authors.forename: Bonnie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Clothier
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parry
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Macones
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000667:Ampicillin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001724:Birth Weight; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004716:Endometritis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000150:complications*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010919:Placebos; D011247:Pregnancy; D011645:Puerperal Infection / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010919:Placebos; D000667:Ampicillin