Recurrence of preterm premature rupture of membranes in relation to interval between pregnancies.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine whether the recurrence risk of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is modified by the interpregnancy interval (IPI).


METHODS
We used the Missouri 1989-1997 longitudinally linked data to examine the recurrence risk of PPROM in women with first 2 (n = 150,929) and first 3 (n = 30,011) successive pregnancies. Race-specific recurrence risks were examined. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were used to estimate risks.


RESULTS
Risks of PPROM in the second pregnancy among women with and without previous PPROM were 5.7% and 2.3%, respectively, among white women (OR, 8.7; 95% confidence interval, 6.7-11.4) and 10.3% and 4.3%, respectively, among African American women (OR, 7.2; 95% confidence interval, 5.1-10.1). Short IPI was associated with increased risk for PPROM recurrence, with substantially higher risk for African American women than white women. However, long IPI was associated with increased recurrence among African American women.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with previous PPROM are at increased risk for recurrence, and a short IPI is associated with increased risk.
Getahun
Darios
D
Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, USA. Darios.T.Getahun@kp.org
Strickland
Daniel
D
Ananth
Cande V
CV
Fassett
Michael J
MJ
Sacks
David A
DA
Kirby
Russell S
RS
Jacobsen
Steven J
SJ
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D012008:Recurrence; D012306:Risk; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors