Immediate Delivery versus Expectant Management in Pregnant Women with Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes at 34 Weeks: A Cohort Study

Aim: to compare delivery to expectant management for cases of preterm premature rupture of membranes at 34weeks. Methods: This was a prospective study carried out at Menoufia University Hospital, Egypt on 84 pregnant women with preterm premature rupture of membranes at 34 weeks, the studied women were divided to 2 equal groups: group A managed by immediate delivery and group B managed expectantly for 2 weeks. Enrolled patients were followed to assess the maternal and neonatal outcome. Results: There was higher cesarean section rate in group A (p<0.05)., no significant differences between the 2 groups regarding puerperal pyrexia and postpartum hemorrhage, also, no significant differences related to maternal age and parity or basal total leucocytic count (p> 0.05) but follow up total leucocytic count was higher in group B (p<0.05). Regarding neonatal outcome, group B had higher birthweight (p<0.01), lower rate of TTN (p<0.05) and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (p>0.05). No significant differences regarding Apgar score, neonatal intensive care admission and regarding respiratory distress syndrome only one case reported in group A but no statistical significance. Conclusions: expectant management is wrranted for cases of recent preterm premature rupture of membranes at 34 weeks.