title: [How I explore... the preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes by the ultrastructural examination of the skin].
abstract: The etiology of recurrent preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes (PPROM) is varied. Skin biopsies were performed in women who presented recurrent PPROM of unknown origin, searching for a possible general expression of a connective tissue disorder. In the majority of cases, ultrastructural abnormalities were found in collagen bundles and fibrils, as well as in elastic fibres. In conclusion, some types of recurrent PPROM are probably the expression of a generalized connective tissue disorder. The genetic alteration remains to be explored.
authors.affiliation: CHU du Sart Tilman, Liège.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hermanns-Lê
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Piérard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen