[Premature rupture of membranes: maternal and fetal outcome in the absence of antibiotic prophylaxis]

Abstract

Antibiotic prophylaxis in the management of Premature Rupture of foetal Membranes (PROM) before term still remains controversial. 110 pregnant women with PROM were assigned to either group A (no treatment) or group B (treatment group). The rates of premature deliveries were similar in the two groups, 71% versus 77% (p = 0.56). Additionally, low birth weight, Apgar score, foetal distress, neonatal icterus and foetal sepsis were all observed in similar proportions in both groups. 6.5% of the subjects in group A developed endometritis as against 5.7% in group B (p = 0.69). Perinatal mortality rates were high (33.3% and 50%, in group A and B, respectively), but not statistically different in the two groups (p = 0.13). Prophylactic antibiotics do not seem to influence maternal and foetal outcome in patients who present with PROM in this environment.