PREMATURE RUPTURE OF MEMBRANES

The management of patients with premature rupture of membranes has cha nged markedly in the past several years,The basis for this is a combin ation of a better understanding of newborn physiology, improved neonat al care, refinements in antibiotic therapy, and the widespread use of maternal and fetal monitoring, The best outcome for both mother and in fant undoubtedly reflects data based on a combination of factors, amon g which are gestational age survival, evidence of fetal distress, pres ence or absence of labor and sepsis, and of course, the cervical condi tion as it is related to labor-readiness. An important recent advance is the recognition that an active observation management program is as sociated with less morbidity and mortality than the classic management course of delivery within 12 hours of membrane rupture,The fact that preterm premature rupture of membranes tends to recur in subsequent pr egnancies offers an opportunity for prevention, Moreover, advances in perinatal and neonatal care will continue to improve the outcomes of t hese women and their children.