Premature rupture of the membranes before 28 weeks: conservative management

The maternal and fetal outcomes of 70 consecutive singleton pregnancies with prolonged premature rupture of the membranes before 28 weeks, which were managed expectantly, were evaluated; 58.6% of the mothers developed chorioamnionitis and 13% postpartum endomyometritis. No long-term maternal sequelae were noted. None of the 22 infants born before 25 weeks survived the neonatal period. The weights of the 35 surviving infants ranged between 800 and 4100 gm. Only 29.4% of the 17 infants with long-term follow-up were both physically and developmentally normal at 6 months of age or more.