title: Parameters affecting latency period in PPROM cases: a 10-year experience of a single institution.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the association of epidemiological and pregnancy-related parameters with the latency period achieved in cases of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM).
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was performed enrolling cases admitted in high-risk pregnancy unit (HRPU) with PPROM between 24 + 0 and 36 + 6 gestational week during 2002-2011. Cases with vaginal bleeding at admission, co-existing maternal or fetal pathology, placenta praevia, previous interventions in cervix or uterus, triplets or higher order pregnancies were excluded. Epidemiological parameters and latency period between admission due to PPROM and delivery were recorded. Obstetrical complications, mode of delivery, and neonatal morbidity parameters were also studied. A multivariate regression model was used to correlate latency period with epidemiological and pregnancy-related risk factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, there were 319 cases of PPROM admitted, of which 303 (94.9%) met inclusion criteria. Median latency period was 5.2 d. The latency interval exceeded 48 h in 65.0% of cases (197/303). Emergency cesarean was demanded in 20.2% of cases, chorioamnionitis was diagnosed in 7.5% while 76.1% of neonates were admitted in neonatal intensive care unit. Higher gestational week at admission was associated with shorter latency interval (p < 0.001), twin pregnancy with shorter latency interval (p = 0.02), while latency interval was significantly lower in cases complicated with chorioamnionitis (p = 0.048).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gestational week at PPROM, twin gestation and chorioamnionitis are factors significantly affecting latency interval.
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hippokrateion Hospital, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Themistoklis
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dagklis
authors.forename: Stamatios
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Petousis
authors.forename: Chrysoula
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Margioula-Siarkou
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mavromatidis
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kalogiannidis
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Prapas
authors.forename: Apostolos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mamopoulos
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rousso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D011247:Pregnancy; D059285:Pregnancy, Twin; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult