Complications of Prolonged PROM and Oligohydramnios

Abstract

Premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) is the cause of 30-40% of all preterm births. Sometimes delivery occurs shortly after PROM because of acute infection, refractory labor, cord prolapse, or abruption. When the mother and fetus are in stable condition, a policy of expectant management usually is adopted to try to gain additional time for the fetus in utero. In the relatively few cases in which there is a long interval from rupture to delivery (the latency period), complications may occur that are not specifically related to prematurity. These problems, caused by prolonged exposure to oligohydramnios, will be the focus of this article.