Preterm premature rupture of membranes ≥ 32 weeks' gestation: impact of revised practice guidelines

The purpose of this study was to determine the perinatal impact of the 2007 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Practice Bulletin on preterm premature membrane rupture.

Perinatal outcomes were compared in women who had experienced preterm membrane rupture in the 3 years before the 2007 Practice Bulletin to similar women who experienced preterm premature rupture of membranes in the 3 years after the issue and implementation of the guideline.

After adjustment for gestational age at membrane rupture and steroids, composite severe morbidity (death, respiratory distress syndrome, assisted ventilation for ≥ 6 hours, sepsis, pneumonia, grade 3 or 4 intraventricular hemorrhage, or necrotizing enterocolitis) was similar by group. Infants in the "after" group experienced less pneumonia and sepsis, similar respiratory morbidity, but more labor inductions and postpartum hemorrhage.

The new guideline significantly decreases severe neonatal infections but is associated with more frequent labor induction and postpartum hemorrhage.