Premature rupture of membranes

• Premature rupture of membranes (PROM)

is defined as a spontaneous rupture of
membranes at any time beyond 22 weeks of
pregnancy but before the onset of labor is
called premature rupture of membrane.
• Premature rupture of membranes may occur in
term (37 completed weeks of gestation) called
term PROM and before 37 completed weeks
of gestation is called preterm PROM
 Classifications of PROM
• PROM is classified according to the gestational age at
which it occurs and the interval between rupture of the
fetal membranes and the onset of true labour.
• Preterm PROM occurs after 28 weeks of gestational age
and before 37 weeks.
• Term PROM occurs after 37 completed weeks of
gestational age, including post-term cases occurring after
40 weeks.
• Preterm and term PROM are further divided into:
• Early PROM (less than 12 hours has passed since the
rupture of fetal membranes)
• Prolonged PROM (12 or more hours has passed since the
rupture of fetal membranes).
 CAUSES
1. Factor causing a raise intrauterine pressure
 Multiple pregnancy
 Polyhydramnious
 Coitus in late pregnancy
 Trauma
2. Factors in the cervix as incompetence cervix
3. Faulty application of the presenting parts
 Malpresentation of fetus as footling,
transverse or oblique lie
 Placenta previa, disproportion.
4. Abnormal membranes
 weakening due to infection
 Trauma
 Developmental defects
5. General factors
 lower socio-economic status
 Poor nutrition
 smoking
 Complications of PROM
1  Infection after PROM
2  Cord prolapse
3  Fetal hypoxia and asphyxia
4  Placental abruption
5  Preterm labour
6  Deformity of fetal limbs