Fetal Breathing as a Predictor of Infection in Premature Rupture of the Membranes

Abstract

The value of the presence or absence of fetal breathing in predicting infection was determined by a retrospective analysis of 130 patients with premature rupture of the membranes and no clinical signs of infection or labor. The last ultrasound examination performed within 48 hours of delivery was used for comparison to infection outcome, as reflected by the development of clinical amnionitis and possible neonatal sepsis. The sensitivity and specificity of fetal breathing in predicting infection in patients with premature rupture of the membranes were 91.6 and 64.8%, respectively. These data suggest that the presence of fetal breathing is a good predictor of noninfection outcome (negative predictive value 95.3%), whereas its absence does not necessarily indicate impending infection (positive predictive value 50%).