Fetal outcome of pre-labor rupture of membranes

Objective: To study the determinants and outcome of prelabour rupture of membrane at term pregnancy in Patan Hospital. Method: A prospective, hospital based case control study done in maternity ward of Patan Hospital over the period of three months (Poush 2059-Phalgun 2059). A total no of 100 pregnant women with prelabor rupture of membrane and 100 pregnant women without prelabor rupture of membrane were included in this study. Results: The incidence of pre labor rupture of membrane in this study was 6.06%. Major risk factors for prelabor rupture of membranes were antecedent coitus, hydramnious, smoking, cephalo-pelvic disproportion, and previous abortion. Normal delivery occurred in 70% in prelabor rupture of membrane group and in 93 % in non-prelabor rupture of membrane group. Forty-nine pregnant women with pre-labour rupture of membrane received antibiotics and twenty-four babies (48.98%) developed neonatal infection in pre-labour rupture of membrane group and only one developed infection in non-prelabour rupture. Four cases of neonatal infection was seen in neonates born from mothers with prelabor rupture of membranes < 24 hours and 20 cases of neonatal infection were seen in those neonates born from mother with pre-labor rupture of membrane >24 hours (p <0.05). Conclusion: Neonatal morbidity increases with the increase of time interval between the rupture of membrane and delivery and antibiotics given to mother of PROM does not totally protect neonates from infection.