Outcome of preterm premature rupture of membranes.

OBJECTIVE To study the incidence and outcome of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University. SUBJECTS Ninety five PPROM women who were expectant management and delivered between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 1997. RESULTS The incidence of PPROM was 7.2 per 1000 deliveries. There were 51 women in the gestational age group at or below 34 weeks and 44 women in the gestational age group above 34 weeks. Gestational age, total antenatal care visits, total weight gain and neonatal birth weight were significantly lower in the gestational age group at or below 34 weeks (p < 0.05). Abnormal delivery, maternal and neonatal complications were significantly more common in the gestational age group at or below 34 weeks (p < 0.05). Total maternal and neonatal hospital-stay comprised significantly more days in the gestational age group at or below 34 weeks (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Maternal and neonatal outcome were more unfavorable in the gestational age group at or below 34 weeks of PPROM. Expectant management should intervene at the gestational age at or below 34 weeks of PPROM due to unfavorable maternal and neonatal outcome.