Prevalence, management, and outcomes of preterm prelabour rupture of the membranes of women in Canada.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of preterm prelabour rupture of the membranes (PPROM) at Canadian university-affiliated perinatal referral centres, to assess the different management strategies, and to review neonatal outcomes.


METHODS
Twelve Canadian university-affiliated perinatal referral centres provided information on their management of PPROM, and 9 participated in data collection to determine prevalence. All women presenting with PPROM during a 2-week period were observed until delivery, and obstetric and neonatal outcome data were subsequently obtained. The total number of deliveries in each centre was recorded for the same time period. We also determined the incidence of PPROM and the neonatal outcome for all women presenting with PPROM at the Kingston General Hospital from January 1999 to December 2001 by retrospective chart review.


RESULTS
In the 9 academic centres, 27 women (1 with a twin pregnancy) presented with PPROM during the 2-week period. There were 1168 deliveries during the same time period, giving a prevalence of PPROM of 2.3%. Overall, 53% of placentas submitted for histopathology after PPROM demonstrated evidence of chorioamnionitis. In the retrospective chart review, we found 153 cases of confirmed PPROM from January 1999 to December 2001,an incidence of 2.8%. Clinical management in all centres was similar for most women who presented with PPROM prior to 34 weeks' gestation. Management after 34 weeks' gestation varied among the 12 centres, ranging from immediate induction of labour to expectant management and induction at a greater gestational age (GA).


CONCLUSIONS
The increased neonatal morbidity associated with PPROM appears to be inversely related to GA. Increased risk of chorioamnionitis is related to increased time from PPROM to delivery.
Smith
Graeme
G
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Rafuse
Christine
C
Anand
Nitasha
N
Brennan
Barb
B
Connors
Greg
G
Crane
Joan
J
Fraser
William
W
Gratton
Robert
R
Moutquin
Jean-Marie
JM
Scott
Heather
H
Schneider
Carole
C
Walker
Mark
M
D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000150:complications; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008499:Medical Records; D018743:Perinatal Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies