Premature rupture of membranes
| Premature rupture of membranes | |
| ICD-10 | O42 |
|---|---|
| ICD-9 | 658.1 |
| DiseasesDB | 10600 |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Treatment
- In a term pregnany where premature rupture of membranes has occurred, spontaneous labour should be permitted. Current obstetrical management includes an induction of labour at approximately 6 hours if it has not already begun, and Group B Streptococcal prophylaxis at 18 hours. Some hospitals, birth centers and private midwives do not induce labor at any point after PROM, but rather watch carefully for any signs of infection and ensure that nothing is introduced into the vagina after the PROM, including sterile vaginal exams.
- In premature birth premature rupture of membranes, antibiotic therapy should be given to decrease the risk of sepsis.
Ampicillin or erythromycin should be administered for 7 days, and antenatal steroids if the gestational age is less than 30 weeks. Tocolysis is also used, though its use in this context is controversial. The mother should be admitted to hospital and put under careful surveillance for preterm labour and chorioamnionitis. Induction of labour should happen at around 36 weeks. de:Blasensprung
Overview
Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) (referred to as pre-labor rupture of membranes for simplicity in this article) is a condition which occurs in pregnancy when the amniotic sac ruptures before the onset of labor. A related term is pPROM which stands for preterm premature rupture of the membranes which occurs when the rupture happens before 37 weeks gestation. Risk factors include maternal vaginal infections which ascend to the amniotic membrane, vaginal bleeding during pregnancy and maternal stature, among others.
PPROM
Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) is a condition where the amniotic sac leaks fluid before 37 weeks of gestation.[1] This can be caused by a bacterial infection or by a defect in the structure of the amniotic sac, uterus, or cervix. In some cases, the leak can spontaneously heal, but in most cases of PPROM, labor begins within 48 hours of membrane rupture. When this occurs, it is necessary that the mother receive treatment to avoid possible infection in the newborn.
Historical Perspective
[Disease name] was first discovered by [name of scientist], a [nationality + occupation], in [year]/during/following [event].
The association between [important risk factor/cause] and [disease name] was made in/during [year/event].
In [year], [scientist] was the first to discover the association between [risk factor] and the development of [disease name].
In [year], [gene] mutations were first implicated in the pathogenesis of [disease name].
There have been several outbreaks of [disease name], including -----.
In [year], [diagnostic test/therapy] was developed by [scientist] to treat/diagnose [disease name].
Classification
Prelabor rupture of membranes may be classified according to gestational age at which the rupture occurs. If more than 18 hours have passed after the rupture of membranes without the onset of labor it is termed as prolonged PROM. If rupture occurs before age of viability (37 weeks) it is termed as preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (pPROM). If the gestational age is between 20 0/7 weeks to 25 6/7 it is considered as "periviable PROM". Other types of rupture of membranes are artificial rupture of membranes (AROM), spontaneous rupture of membranes (SROM).
Pathophysiology
Membrane strength is dependant on extracellular proteins including but not limited to collagen, fibronectin and laminin. Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) degrade collagen which reduces membrane strength. It is thought that PROM and pPROM can be caused by a combination of events that lead to membrane weakening via direct damage or reduction of supporting elements. Up to a third of PROM are linked to amniotic fluid positive for bacteria. These infections may be asymptomatic until presentation. In case of an altered flora of the vaginal canal, some invasive species of bacteria produce collagenases, proteases, which directly degrade the amniotic membranes, in addition to the inflammatory effect and subsequent damage to the membranes by the host immune system.
Hypoxic stress to the fetus and placenta are linked to a three to seven times likelihood of PROM. This stress can be due to maternal hypertension, preeclampsia/eclampsia and problems with the umbilical cord. This stress causes release of fetal corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), leading to inhibition of transcription in decidual cells (via the glucocorticoid and progesterone receptor ligand), leading to a state of progesterone resistance and consequent weakening of membranes.
Fetal ACTH release also results in a downstream increase of androgens, which are converted by the placenta into estrones. These estrones act on the myometrium to increase gap junctions and receptors for pro-contractile hormones. Coupled with the anti-progesterone effects of fetal CRH, this pathway results in an excitable and activated myometrium.
Differentiating PROM from other Diseases
PROM
Epidemiology and Demographics
PROM complicates 3% of preterm pregnancies and occurs in 5% to 10% of term pregnancies. 60% to 80% cases of PROM occur in term pregnancies."Support Epidemiology and Prognosis of Premature Rupture of Membranes in Pikine National Hospital Center". Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 9.
Pregnant females of all age groups may develop PROM, however there is a higher chance of adolescent pregnancies progressing towards PROM and pPROM. "Premature and preterm premature rupture of membranes in adolescent compared to adult pregnancy". Medicinski glasnik.
African american females are more likely to experience PROM.
Risk Factors
Common risk factors in the development of PROM include
- Important maternal risk factors include chorioamnionitis, sepsis, previous history of PROM. Additional factors are similar to those for preterm birth such as abnormal bleeding during the second trimester or late in the pregnancy, low BMI, reduced cervical length, smoking and drug abuse.
- Fetal factors include prematurity, infection, cord prolapse, or malpresentation.
Screening
There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for [disease/malignancy].
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According to the [guideline name], screening for [disease name] is not recommended.
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According to the [guideline name], screening for [disease name] by [test 1] is recommended every [duration] among patients with [condition 1], [condition 2], and [condition 3].
Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis
the majority of pregnancies progress to delivery within one week of membrane rupture, the common cause of induced or spontaneous labor is chorioamnionitis, which complicates up to 60% of PROM cases. If expectant management is practiced, the patient is at increased risk of infection, abruptio placentae, and umbilical cord accident as well as complications linked to residual oligohydramnios. The risk of long term neurodevelopmental problems however, is not affected. Most common cause of premature delivery, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and neonatal death.
If left untreated, [#]% of patients with [disease name] may progress to develop [manifestation 1], [manifestation 2], and [manifestation 3].
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Common complications of [disease name] include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
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Prognosis is generally excellent/good/poor, and the 1/5/10-year mortality/survival rate of patients with [disease name] is approximately [#]%.
Diagnosis
Assessment of a rupture of membranes involves taking a proper medical history, a gynecological exam using a speculum, nitrazine, cytologic (ferning) tests, and ultrasound.
Diagnostic Study of Choice
The diagnosis of PROM is made according to characteristic findings on history and physical examination. Usual cases present as a woman in late trimester pregnancy complaining of leakage of fluid. The gold standard for diagnosis per speculum is pooling of fluid in the posterior vaginal vault. If there is no pooling observed, the patient is told to bear down or apply fundal pressure in order to increase the outflow of amniotic fluid and get visual confirmation of leakage. There may still be no pooling observed, in which case diagnostic testing is employed in the form of ultrasound to gauge the amniotic fluid volume. Ultrasound is also useful to assess fetal wellbeing. If oligohydramnios is detected, the diagnosis of PROM is confirmed. In cases of low-normal or normal amniotic fluid volume, other tests can be done to confirm PROM/PPROM.
History and Symptoms
The hallmark of PROM is pooling of fluid. A positive history of leakage of clear fluid is suggestive of PROM.
Physical Examination
Patients with PROM usually appear well, some may be in active labor. Physical examination of patients is usually remarkable for leakage of clear or yellow fluid from the vagina, which may be a sudden gush or a slow leak that is evident by wetting of clothes. For women in active labor, sterile speculum examination is done to confirm pooling of amniotic fluid, as digital examination has been shown to increase the risk of infection and early labor.
Laboratory Findings
An elevated/reduced concentration of serum/blood/urinary/CSF/other [lab test] is diagnostic of [disease name].
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Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of [disease name] include [abnormal test 1], [abnormal test 2], and [abnormal test 3].
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[Test] is usually normal among patients with [disease name].
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Some patients with [disease name] may have elevated/reduced concentration of [test], which is usually suggestive of [progression/complication].
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There are no diagnostic laboratory findings associated with [disease name].
Electrocardiogram
There are no ECG findings associated with [disease name].
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An ECG may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an ECG suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
X-ray
There are no x-ray findings associated with [disease name].
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An x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an x-ray suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
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There are no x-ray findings associated with [disease name]. However, an x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
There are no echocardiography/ultrasound findings associated with [disease name].
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Echocardiography/ultrasound may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an echocardiography/ultrasound suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
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There are no echocardiography/ultrasound findings associated with [disease name]. However, an echocardiography/ultrasound may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
CT scan
There are no CT scan findings associated with [disease name].
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[Location] CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on CT scan suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
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There are no CT scan findings associated with [disease name]. However, a CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
MRI
There are no MRI findings associated with [disease name].
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[Location] MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on MRI suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
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There are no MRI findings associated with [disease name]. However, a MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
Other Imaging Findings
There are no other imaging findings associated with [disease name].
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[Imaging modality] may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an [imaging modality] suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
Other Diagnostic Studies
There are no other diagnostic studies associated with [disease name].
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[Diagnostic study] may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
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Other diagnostic studies for [disease name] include [diagnostic study 1], which demonstrates [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3], and [diagnostic study 2], which demonstrates [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
Treatment
Medical Therapy
There is no treatment for [disease name]; the mainstay of therapy is supportive care.
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Supportive therapy for [disease name] includes [therapy 1], [therapy 2], and [therapy 3].
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The majority of cases of [disease name] are self-limited and require only supportive care.
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[Disease name] is a medical emergency and requires prompt treatment.
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The mainstay of treatment for [disease name] is [therapy].
OR The optimal therapy for [malignancy name] depends on the stage at diagnosis.
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[Therapy] is recommended among all patients who develop [disease name].
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Pharmacologic medical therapy is recommended among patients with [disease subclass 1], [disease subclass 2], and [disease subclass 3].
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Pharmacologic medical therapies for [disease name] include (either) [therapy 1], [therapy 2], and/or [therapy 3].
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Empiric therapy for [disease name] depends on [disease factor 1] and [disease factor 2].
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Patients with [disease subclass 1] are treated with [therapy 1], whereas patients with [disease subclass 2] are treated with [therapy 2].
Surgery
Surgical intervention is not recommended for the management of [disease name].
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Surgery is not the first-line treatment option for patients with [disease name]. Surgery is usually reserved for patients with either [indication 1], [indication 2], and [indication 3]
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The mainstay of treatment for [disease name] is medical therapy. Surgery is usually reserved for patients with either [indication 1], [indication 2], and/or [indication 3].
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The feasibility of surgery depends on the stage of [malignancy] at diagnosis.
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Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for [disease or malignancy].
Primary Prevention
There are no established measures for the primary prevention of [disease name].
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There are no available vaccines against [disease name].
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Effective measures for the primary prevention of [disease name] include [measure1], [measure2], and [measure3].
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[Vaccine name] vaccine is recommended for [patient population] to prevent [disease name]. Other primary prevention strategies include [strategy 1], [strategy 2], and [strategy 3].
Secondary Prevention
There are no established measures for the secondary prevention of [disease name].
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Effective measures for the secondary prevention of [disease name] include [strategy 1], [strategy 2], and [strategy 3]. Template:WH Template:WS
References
- ↑ Deering SH, Patel N, Spong CY, Pezzullo JC, Ghidini A (2007). "Fetal growth after preterm premature rupture of membranes: is it related to amniotic fluid volume?". J. Matern. Fetal. Neonatal. Med. 20 (5): 397–400. doi:10.1080/14767050701280249. PMID 17674244.