ABSTRACT
KEY POINTS • Definite diagnosis is by direct visualization of fluid
(‘pooling’), with nitrazine cervicovaginal swab and ferning as usual confirmatory tests.
• Complications of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) include premature labor/delivery with related complications of prematurity such as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), infection and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC); maternal or neonatal infections (chorioamnionitis, endometritis, and sepsis); abruptio placentae, cord prolapse, and, especially for PPROM < 24 weeks, perinatal death, pulmonary hypoplasia, compression deformities, long-term infant morbidities, increased need for cesarean delivery, and retained placenta.
