Pre-term Pre-labour Rupture of Membranes and the Role of Amniocentesis

Pre-labour premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is defined as rupture of membranes more than 1 hour prior to the onset of labour at <37 weeks gestation. PPROM occurs in approximately 3% of pregnancies and is responsible for a third of all preterm births.1 Once membranes are ruptured prolonging the pregnancy has no maternal physical advantage but fetal morbidity and mortality are improved daily at early gestations: 19% of those infants born <25 weeks develop cerebral palsy (CP) and 28% have severe motor disability.2 Those infants born extremely pre term (<28 weeks) cost the public sector £75835 (95% CI £27906–145508) per live birth3 not to mention the emotional cost to the family. To prolong gestation is therefore the suggested goal: however how and why might we delay birth in those at risk? PPROM is one scenario associated with preterm birth and here we discuss the causative mechanisms, sequelae, latency, strategies to prolong gestation (antibiotics) and consider the role of amniocentesis. We will also discuss novel therapies.