Maternal and Fetal Outcomes of Preterm Premature Rupture of Membrane.

Background: Preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM) is the rupture of the membrane before labor and prior to the 37th week. PPROM is a common complication of pregnancy with numerous adverse effects on both the mother and the infant. Identifying the risk factors for PPROM and methods for its early diagnosis and treatment will dramatically decrease the side effects. This study aimed at evaluating the outcome of pregnancies complicated by PPROM. Methods: This descriptive, analytic, cross-sectional study lasted for six months. It included 57 patients who were admitted to Shahid Beheshti Hospital (Isfahan, Iran) due to rupture of membrane in 28th-34th weeks of pregnancy. Patients were physically examined and asked for their history and symptoms. The collected data was analyzed with chi-square tests. Findings: The prevalence of PPROM, cesarean section, tachycardia, fever, and more than 15000/ml leukocytosis was 2.3, 52.7, 74.0, 95.0, and 66.0 percent, respectively. Distress, sepsis, and death were observed in 21.0, 3.0, and 1.7 percent of the neonates, respectively. No cases of pneumonia or hyaline membrane disease were detected. There was not a significant relationship between sex and PPROM. Conclusion: Our findings were similar to those of previous research. However, considering the importance of PPROM, larger studies in different areas are required for diagnosis and treatment of PPROM to prevent preterm birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]