EPIDEMIOLOGIC CORRELATES OF PRETERM PREMATURE RUPTURE OF MEMBRANES

Objective: To study the clinical risk factors for preterm premature ru pture of membranes (FROM). Method: We conducted a case-control study o f 138 patients with FROM between 24 and 35 weeks' gestation and 267 co ntrol subjects. Results: In stepwise multiple logistic regression mode ls, the population of cases was more likely to be of low social class. Other risk factors for FROM were smoking in pregnancy, Ist or 2nd-3rd trimester hemorrhages, cervical incompetence and a documented cervico -vaginal infection during index pregnancy. First trimester hemorrhage and a documented cervico-vaginal infection during index pregnancy were associated with preterm FROM both in nulliparous and in multiparous w omen. Conclusion: Few potentially remediable risk factors are associat ed with the occurrence of preterm FROM.