Premature rupture of membranes

Premature rupture of membranes

Premature rupture of membranes

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Diagnosis - Water Break Whodunit

Positive Fern Test for PROM

  • Initial Steps:
    • Sterile Speculum Exam: Visualize for pooling of fluid.
    • Nitrazine Test: Amniotic fluid is alkaline (pH > 6.5), turning paper blue. ⚠️ False positives: blood, semen, BV.
    • Fern Test: Fluid air-dries on a slide, showing a crystallization pattern (arborization). Most specific office test.
  • If Diagnosis Unclear:
    • Ultrasound: Assess for oligohydramnios (AFI < 5 cm).

⭐ The fern test is highly specific for amniotic fluid, as the characteristic arborization pattern is caused by the crystallization of amniotic salts and proteins when dried.

  • Infection: The primary driver, weakening membranes.
    • Ascending genital tract infections (e.g., bacterial vaginosis)
    • UTIs, chorioamnionitis
  • Uterine Overdistension / Stress:
    • Polyhydramnios, multiple gestation
  • Iatrogenic/Traumatic:
    • Amniocentesis, cervical surgery (LEEP, conization)
  • Intrinsic Membrane Weakness:
    • Prior PPROM, smoking, nutritional deficiencies (Vit C, copper)

A history of PPROM in a prior pregnancy is the single strongest predictor for recurrence.

Complications - Danger Zone Delivery

Umbilical cord prolapse types

  • Maternal Risks:
    • Chorioamnionitis: Most common; intra-amniotic infection.
    • Placental abruption: Can cause severe hemorrhage.
    • Endometritis & retained placenta post-delivery.
  • Fetal/Neonatal Risks:
    • Umbilical Cord Prolapse: EMERGENCY requiring immediate C-section.
    • Pulmonary Hypoplasia: High risk if rupture <24 weeks.
    • Prematurity: Major cause of RDS, IVH, NEC.
    • Infection: Neonatal sepsis, pneumonia.

Chorioamnionitis is the most frequent major complication. Suspect with maternal fever, uterine tenderness, maternal or fetal tachycardia, and purulent amniotic fluid.

Management - The Ticking Clock

Management hinges on gestational age and presence of infection or fetal distress.

  • Expectant Management (<34 wks):
    • Corticosteroids (e.g., Betamethasone): For fetal lung maturity.
    • Latency Antibiotics (e.g., Ampicillin + Azithromycin): To prolong pregnancy.
    • Magnesium Sulfate: If <32 wks for fetal neuroprotection.

⭐ In PPROM, latency antibiotics are given to prolong the interval to delivery and reduce neonatal infectious morbidity, not primarily to treat maternal infection.

High-Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Rupture of membranes before labor onset is the defining feature.
  • Diagnose with a sterile speculum exam showing amniotic fluid pooling, a positive nitrazine test (turns blue), and microscopic ferning.
  • The greatest risks are intra-amniotic infection (chorioamnionitis) and preterm labor.
  • At term (≥37 weeks), proceed to delivery and induce labor.
  • For PPROM <34 weeks, manage expectantly with latency antibiotics (e.g., ampicillin, azithromycin) and corticosteroids for fetal lung maturity.

Practice Questions: Premature rupture of membranes

Test your understanding with these related questions

A 35-year-old G3P2 woman currently 39 weeks pregnant presents to the emergency department with painful vaginal bleeding shortly after a motor vehicle accident in which she was a passenger. She had her seat belt on and reports that the airbag deployed immediately upon her car's impact against a tree. She admits that she actively smokes cigarettes. Her prenatal workup is unremarkable. Her previous pregnancies were remarkable for one episode of chorioamnionitis that resolved with antibiotics. Her temperature is 98.6°F (37°C), blood pressure is 90/60 mmHg, pulse is 130/min, and respirations are 20/min. The fetal pulse is 110/min. Her uterus is tender and firm. The remainder of her physical exam is unremarkable. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Flashcards: Premature rupture of membranes

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Placental _____ is the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall (decidua) prior to delivery of fetus

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Placental _____ is the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall (decidua) prior to delivery of fetus

abruption

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