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Childhood outcomes following preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes (PPROM): a population-based record linkage
C L Roberts1,2, P Wagland1,3, S Torvaldsen1,2
1Clinical and Population Perinatal Health, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Heath District, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Insights
Infants born after preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) show no increased risk for adverse child health, development, or education outcomes. These children fare as well as peers born without PPROM.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Preterm birth complications, including preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM), can impact infant health and development.
- Understanding long-term outcomes for infants born after PPROM is crucial for clinical guidance and parental support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate child health, developmental, and educational outcomes for infants born following PPROM.
- To compare these outcomes with those of infants born after spontaneous labor or planned delivery at similar gestational ages.
Main Methods:
- A population-based record linkage cohort study was conducted using data from New South Wales, Australia (2001-2014).
- The study included 121,822 births between 20 and 37 weeks gestation, with 15% following PPROM.
Main Results:
- Infants exposed to PPROM did not exhibit increased risks of childhood mortality or hospitalization compared to controls.
- Developmental vulnerability at school entry, low reading, and numeracy scores were not elevated in the PPROM group.
- Longer latency periods and more advanced gestational age at birth were associated with improved outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Infants born following PPROM demonstrate comparable child health, developmental, and educational outcomes to those born without PPROM.
- PPROM exposure does not appear to confer a higher risk for adverse long-term outcomes in children when controlling for gestational age.
Objective:
The objective of this study is to determine child health, development and educational outcomes for infants born following preterm prelabor rupture of the membrane (PPROM).
Study Design:
Population-based record linkage cohort study using data from NSW, Australia, 2001 to 2014.
Results:
Of 121 822 births at 20 to 37 weeks, 18 799 (15%) followed PPROM, 56 406 (46%) followed spontaneous labor and 46 617 (38%) were planned. Compared with infants of a similar gestational age born following spontaneous labor or planned delivery, exposure to PPROM did not increase the risk of childhood mortality, childhood hospitalization, developmentally vulnerable at school entry, low reading or numeracy scores. Median latency ranged from 12 days (interquartile range 3 to 37 days) at 25 weeks to 1 day (0 to 2 days) at 36 weeks. Longer latency and more advanced gestational age at birth were associated with better outcomes.
Conclusion:
Infants born following PPROM are at no greater risk of adverse child health, development and education outcomes than those of similar gestational age born without PPROM.
