Maternal and neonatal outcomes based on the amniotic fluid index in cases of preterm premature rupture of membranes

Objectives: The management of cases of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), which is known to cause significant levels of maternal-neonatal morbidity and mortality, is based on induction of birth or monitoring with a conservative approach. PPROM is associated with some complications such as preterm delivery, low APGAR scores, perinatal infections, respiratory distress syndrome and neonatal sepsis. Design: Retrospective clinical study Setting: Erciyes University Obstetric Clinic Perinatology Unit, Turkey Subjects: Ninety-seven patients with a singleton pregnancy complicated by PPROM between 26 and 34 gestational weeks Intervention(s): Patients were divided into two groups based on their amniotic fluid index (AFI), <5 cm (n: 54, Group 1) and >5 cm (n: 43, Group 2). Main outcome measure(s): To assess maternal and neonatal outcomes in cases of PPROM in cases with AFI values <5 cm or >5 cm. Results: Low birth weight and premature birth were determined in the AFI <5 cm group (p < 0.05). Levels of neonatal mechanical ventilator requirement, necrotizing enterocolitis, intracranial hemorrhage and early neonatal sepsis were similar between the groups. Surfactant requirement and mortality rates were significantly high in Group 1 (p < 0.05). Conclusion(s): Although morbidity rates in cases with AFI <5 cm and AFI >5 cm were similar, severe oligohydroamnios is associated with high neonatal mortality.