Antibiotics for preterm premature rupture of membranes.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the review was to evaluate the effectiveness and the immediate and long-term safety of the effects of administering antibiotics to women with preterm prelabour rupture of membranes on maternal infectious morbidity, fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, and longer term childhood development. SEARCH STRATEGY All randomized trials identified using the search strategy described by the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group. SELECTION CRITERIA All trials which reported clinically relevant outcomes (as opposed to laboratory data) were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Data were extracted from each report without any blinding of either the results or the treatments which women received. Unpublished data were sought from a number of authors. MAIN RESULTS Antibiotic treatment following pPROM is effective at prolonging pregnancy and reducing maternal and neonatal infectious morbidity. There is no statisically proven benefit that their use improves neonatal mortality and morbidity in the short or long term. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS There are insufficient data to recommend routine prescription of antibiotics in this clinical situation. Research into this area should continue.