[Influence of atmospheric pressure and its variations on premature rupture of membranes]

In popular belief, a higher rate of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) might be associated with atmospheric pressure (AP) variations. Results of past studies are contradictory. We aimed to assess whether or not AP values influence the rate of PROM.

We performed a retrospective longitudinal study of women admitted for PROM from January 1st, 2009 to December 3rd, 2009. AP values for 2009 were obtained at the local meteorological station.

AP values (average, minimum and maximum) and its variations did not influence the rate of PROM for 341 patients included in the study, as well as in the group of 187 patients with a negative result of vaginal swab or amniotic fluid sample. After exclusion of premature PROM, mean AP variation the days before PROM was higher than AP variations of the days without PROM (6.3hPa IC95% [5.65-7.00] vs. 5.2 IC95% [4.70-5.79], P=0.029). No higher rate of occurrence of PROM was noticed during the days with low AP (AP less than average AP of the year equal to 1009hPa or AP less than normal AP equal to 1013.2hPa) or during the days with a high variability (maximal AP-minimal AP greater than 5hPa).

Our data did not support the hypothesis that AP influence the rate PROM.