Guideline No. 430: Diagnosis and management of preterm prelabour rupture of membranes

Abstract

Objective: To provide clear and concise guidelines for the diagnosis and management of preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) TARGET POPULATION: All patients with PPROM <37 weeks gestation BENEFITS, HARMS, AND COSTS: This guideline aims to provide the first Canadian general guideline on the management of preterm membrane rupture. It includes a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the evidence on the diagnosis, management, timing and method of delivery.

Evidence: The following search terms were entered into PubMed/Medline and Cochrane in 2021: preterm premature rupture of membranes, PPROM, chorioamnionitis, Nitrazine test, ferning, commercial tests, placental alpha microglobulin-1 (PAMG-1) test, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) test, ultrasonography, PPROM/antenatal corticosteroids, PPROM/Magnesium sulphate, PPROM/ antibiotic treatment, PPROM/tocolysis, PPROM/preterm labour, PPROM/Neonatal outcomes, PPROM/mortality, PPROM/outpatient/inpatient, PPROM/cerclage, previable PPROM. Articles included were randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, guidelines, and observational studies. Additional publications were identified from the bibliographies of these articles. Only English-language articles were reviewed.

Validation methods: The authors rated the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. See Appendix A (Tables A1 for definitions and A2 for interpretations of strong and weak recommendations).

Intended audience: All prenatal and perinatal health care providers.

Summary statements: RECOMMENDATIONS.

Keywords: chorioamnionitis; fetal membranes; pregnancy complications; premature birth; premature rupture.