DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i05.023

Pages: 1912-1917

The management of pre-labour rupture of membranes (PROM) has been a challenging problem for decades in Obstetrics. The pregnancy complications are increased before term because of the increased risk of infection, preterm labour and prematurity. The objectives were to determine the prevalence, socio-demographic characteristics, risk factors and complications of women with PROM at UCTH, Calabar. This was a retrospective study of cases of PROM managed at UCTH over a 4 year period (January 2010 to December 2013). During the study period, there were 11,241 deliveries and 218 cases of PROM giving a prevalence of 1.94%. The mean age of the study population was 26.2± 6.7 years while the mean parity was 2.4± 1.9. Majority (49%) of the study population had PROM between 37 to 39 weeks. The commonest risk factor for PROM was previous history of PROM 79(41.2%), while 45(23.4%) of the population studied had no identifiable risk factor. A total of 31(16.2%) of the babies with PROM had birth asphyxia, while 16(8.3%) had neonatal death. Fetal complications of PROM were more among preterm PROM with neonatal jaundice, birth asphyxia and neonatal sepsis the commonest. PROM is a major complication of pregnancies and an important cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Currently, there is no effective way of preventing spontaneous rupture of fetal membranes. However, it is important that women be well informed regarding maternal, fetal and neonatal complications. Early presentation to the hospital and interventions will improve neonatal outcomes of patients with PROM.