A Review of Fetomaternal Outcome of Preterm Prelabour Rupture of Membranes in a Tertiary Hospital in Lagos, South-west, Nigeria

Abstract

Preterm prelabour rupture of membranes(PPROM) is an important obstetric complication. It accounts for a third of all preterm deliveries with associated increased risks of fetomaternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. To review the fetomatermal outcome of PPROM in a tertiary hospital in Lagos, South-west, Nigeria. This is a descriptive retrospective designin which cases of PPROM were identified from the Labour ward records and their case notes retrieved. Relevant information were extracted from those case notes and the neonatal unit records. Data was analyzed using Epi-info statistical software package. The rate of PPROM in this study was 2.2%. The mean age of the women was 31.3 ± 2.4years with the unbooked women constituting 50.2% of the cases and women with parity of 2 or less accounting/or 83.3% of them. The mean gestational age at delivery was 32. 7 ±2.4weeks. Caesarean section was the mode of delivery in 49.3% of cases, 8.1 % of the women had clinical evidence of choriamnionitis, 4.9% had puerperal sepsis while 1 maternal death was recorded. Ninety four percent (94%) of the births were livebirths while 6% were stillbirths. Low birth weight was noted in 79.1% and birth asphyxia was observed in 7.4%. Neonatal Unit admission was necessary in 72.5% of the livebirths. Perinatal mortality in this study was 17%. PPROM is an important cause of adverse fetomaternal outcome with increased perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Adequate antenatal care should be advocated so that appropriate risk assessment can be done and intervention provided where applicable. Neonatal units should also be equiped to be able to render necessary care for these preterm neonates thereby reducing the morbidity and mortality asscociated with PPROM.

Keywords: PPROM, preterm deliveries, fetomaternal outcome