Clinico-Microbiological Profile and Feto-Maternal Outcome in Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes: A 1year Prospective, Tertiary Care Single-Centre Study.

Abstract

Background- The global burden of premature babies is mostly contributed by preterm births. Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) account for nearly 40% of all preterm deliveries. Objective-The study was done to evaluate the clinic-bacteriological prole and the obstetric outcome in pregnancies complicated by preterm premature rupture of membranes. Material and methods-This was a prospective cohort study of cases of PPROM admitted in the teaching hospital which is a major referral tertiary care centre. A total of 64 women were enrolled. We studied the patient demographics, bacterial prole and obstetric outcome in these women. Results-Most of the cases of PPROM were seen in low risk primigravidae. Infections were the commonest cause for PPROM. Enterococcus Faecalis was the most commonly isolated organism. The mean latent period was 3-7 days. Most women delivered vaginally. Respiratory distress and low birth weight with Apgar <6 were the common indications for NICU admission. Co-relation between TLC and hs-CRP levels was not statistically signicant across different groups. Conclusion- Effective screening for cervico-vaginal infections in pregnancy and appropriate antibiotic therapy will help reduce infection related feto-maternal morbidity and mortality. Lesser gestational ages are associated with poorer outcome.