Epidemiological correlates of preterm premature rupture of membranes

Abstract

To study the clinical risk factors for preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM). We conducted a case-control study of 138 patients with PROM between 24 and 35 weeks' gestation and 267 control subjects. In stepwise multiple logistic regression models, the population of cases was more likely to be of low social class. Other risk factors for PROM were smoking in pregnancy, 1st or 2nd-3rd trimester hemorrhages, cervical incompetence and a documented cervico-vaginal infection during index pregnancy. First trimester hemorrhage and a documented cervico-vaginal infection during index pregnancy were associated with preterm PROM both in nulliparous and in multiparous women. Few potentially remediable risk factors are associated with the occurrence of preterm PROM.