INTRAUTERINE INFECTION IN WOMEN WITH PRETERM PREMATURE RUPTURE OF MEMBRANES - MATERNAL AND NEONATAL CHARACTERISTICS

Objective: Our purpose was to determine the prevalence of intra-uterin e infection in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes an d to evaluate the clinical characteristics of women and neonates accor ding to the presence or absence of intrauterine infection. Study desig n: Trans-abdominal amniocentesis was performed in 90 consecutive patie nts admitted with preterm premature rupture of membranes. Maternal cli nical parameters evaluated included maternal age, origin, gravidity, p arity, habitual abortion, previous perinatal death, previous preterm b irth, urinary tract infection, fetal distress, abruptio placentae, ges tational diabetes, admission-delivery interval and cesarean rate. Neon atal clinical parameters evaluated were gestational age at delivery, b irth weight, Apgar score, neonatal gender, perinatal death and neonata l sepsis. Results. The prevalence of intra-uterine infection was 66.6% (60/90). No differences between patients with intra-uterine infection and those without intra-uterine infection were observed in maternal a ge, origin, gravidity, parity, habitual abortion, previous perinatal d eath, fetal distress, abruptio placentae, gestational diabetes, admiss ion-delivery interval, cesarean section, neonate's gender, Apgar score at 5 min and neonatal sepsis. On the other hand, gestational age at d elivery, birth weight and Apgar score at 1 min were significantly diff erent between the groups. Conclusion. An intra-uterine infection was f ound in two thirds of women presenting with preterm premature rupture of membranes. Women presenting with preterm premature rupture of membr anes and intra-uterine infection had a lower gestational age at delive ry and consequently had a lower neonatal birth weight than those witho ut intra-uterine infection.