title: The management of preterm premature rupture of the membranes near the limit of fetal viability.
abstract: Preterm premature rupture of the membranes near the limit of fetal viability is an uncommon complication of pregnancy, affecting approximately 4 in 1000 gravidas. However, maternal, fetal, and neonatal complications resulting from this condition are significant and include chorioamnionitis, pulmonary hypoplasia, restriction deformities, fetal loss, and complications of extreme prematurity among surviving infants. In this article, we review the literature regarding pregnancy outcomes after preterm premature rupture of the membranes near the limit of viability, and the data on traditional and nontraditional interventions to improve outcomes. An approach to patients who present with preterm premature rupture of the membranes near the limit of viability will be proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Thaddeus P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Waters
authors.forename: Brian M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Mercer
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000453:epidemiology; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005328:Fetal Viability; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D016104:Oligohydramnios / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors