[Prolonged rupture of the membranes and neonatal infection].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a schedule of assessment at birth of newborn from mothers with prolonged rupture of membranes (PROM >or= 24 hours), based on selected clinical and laboratorial parameters of infection.


METHODS
Prospective study, including newborns admitted to the Nursery of the Hospital de Clínicas - University of São Paulo from May/1993 to December / 1994, whose mothers had PROM >/or 24 hours. In all newborns white blood cell count (umbilical cord and 24 hours of life) and blood culture of umbilical cord were done. Antibiotics were given to newborns with clinical signs of chorioamnionitis, GA <or= 34 weeks and/or GA> 34 and < 37 weeks, plus at least one risk factor of infection. All newborns were classified into 4 subgroups: I (PROM <or= 48 hours), II (PROM > 48 hours and < 7 days), III (PROM >or= 7 and < 14 days), IV (PROM >or= 14 days).


RESULTS
The incidence of infection was 38.1% and was more frequent in newborns with GA < 34 weeks (p< 0.05). No statistical significance was noted among the subgroups analysed. Among the risk factors analysed, GA < 34 weeks was the main one.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors recommend the use of prophylactic antibiotic therapy in newborns from mothers with PROM which have a GA <or= 34 weeks, aiming to decrease the risk of neonatal infection.
Mataloun
M M
MM
Instituto da Criança Professor Pedro de Alcantara, FMUSP.
Prescinotti
E A
EA
Arcas
R A
RA
Ramos
J L
JL
Leone
C R
CR