Pre-labor rupture of membranes and associated factors among pregnant women admitted to the maternity ward, Northwest Ethiopia

Predictors and outcomes of premature rupture of membranes among pregnant women admitted to a teaching Hospital in Saudi Arabia: a cohort study

BACKGROUND

Premature rupture of the membrane (PROM), refers to rupture of the fetal membranes prior to the onset of regular uterine contractions. When this occurs at term (≥ 37 weeks of gestation), it is classified as PROM, whereas if it occurs before 37 weeks, it is termed preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). PROM and PPROM are linked to adverse outcomes for both mother and newborn.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the factors associated with PROM and the outcomes of pregnancies complicated with PROM.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study. The participants were divided into three groups; those with PROM, those with PPROM and a control group who had normal onset of membranes rupture. The groups were compared with respect to predictors of PROM (maternal demographic profile, obstetrical history, and comorbidities), in addition to outcomes (postpartum hemorrhage, hospital stay, low APGAR scores, sepsis, low birthweight, preterm rate, and admission to neonatal Intensive care Unit (NICU)). Multivariable logistic regression model was used for predicting risk factors associated with PROM and PPROM.

RESULTS

A total of 1,894 pregnant women were enrolled in the study, 77.6% had normal onset of ruptured membranes, while 382 (20.1%) were diagnosed with a PROM and 43 (2.3%) diagnosed with PPROM. Primiparous mothers were more likely to develop PROM (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI (1.10-2.22)) as compared to multiparous, while obese and overweight mothers were less likely to develop PPROM (AOR = 0.86, 95% CI (0.94 - 0.49)). Significantly more mothers with PPROM were delivered by emergency cesarean Sect. (30.2% vs. 22.9%, P < 0.01), develop chorioamnionitis (4.7% vs. 0.1%, P < 0.01), and stayed in the hospital more than three days (16.3% vs. 2.5%, P < 0.01) compared to the control group. Neonates of mothers who had PPROM were more likely to have low birth weight (35.7% vs. 10.4%, P < 0.01), and NICU admission (67.4% vs. 20.4%, P < 0.01) as compared to the control group. Perinatal death rate was not significantly different between the groups.

CONCLUSION

In this study, nulliparity is a predictor of PROM, while overweight/ obese mothers are less likely to develop PPROM. Despite the relatively low occurrence of PPROM among Saudi women, the condition is associate with increase risk of cesarean section delivery, chorioamnionitis, prolonged hospitalization, and an increase need for neonatal intensive care compare to those with a normal onset of membrane rupture.

Determinants of preterm prelabor rupture of fetal membrane among pregnant women in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Ethiopia is one of the countries where persistently high neonatal and maternal mortalities are reported. Preterm prelabor rupture of membrane (PPROM) plays an important contribution to these high mortalities. However, there is a paucity of comprehensive evidence about the epidemiology of PPROM in Ethiopia. Therefore, this systematic review was conducted to assess the pooled prevalence and determinants of PPROM among pregnant women in Ethiopia.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the PRISMA guideline. Relevant literatures were searched on African Journals Online (AJOL), PubMed, Scopus, Epistemonikos, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and gray literature. All statistical analyses were performed using STATA 17 software. The random effect meta-analysis model was employed to summarize the pooled estimates. Heterogeneity between included studies was evaluated using I2 statistic. Egger's regression test and Begg's correlation test were employed to assess publication bias, in conjunction with funnel plot. Besides, the non-parametric trim-and-fill analysis, sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis and meta-regression were also performed.

RESULTS

A total of 13 original studies with 24,386 participants were considered in this systematic review. The pooled prevalence of PPROM was 6.58% (95% CI: 5.36, 7.79). Urinary tract infection (OR: 3.44; 95% CI: 1.81, 6.53), abnormal vaginal discharge (OR: 4.78; 95% CI: 2.85, 8.01), vaginal bleeding (OR: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.03, 4.06), history of PROM (OR: 4.64; 95% CI: 2.71, 7.95), history of abortion (OR: 3.06; 95% CI: 1.71, 5.46), malnutrition (OR: 5.24; 95% CI: 2.63, 10.44), anemia (OR: 3.97; 95% CI: 2.01, 7.85) and gestational diabetes (OR: 5.08; 95% CI: 1.93, 13.36) were significantly associated with PPROM.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis found a high prevalence of PPROM in Ethiopia. Urinary tract infection, abnormal vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding, history of PROM, history of abortion, malnutrition, anemia and gestational diabetes were risk factors for PPROM. Prevention and control of antenatal infections and malnutrition are highly recommended to reduce the magnitude of PPROM in Ethiopia. Additionally, healthcare providers should emphasize the identified risk factors.

PROTOCOL REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42024536647.

Vaginal Microflora in High Vaginal Swab in Prelabour Rupture of Membrane: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

Premature rupture of membrane (PROM) refers to the disruption of the fetal membrane before the beginning of labor, resulting in spontaneous leakage of amniotic fluid. Cervicovaginal infection is an important risk factor of PROM and can lead to complications to mother and the child. This study aimed to delineate the bacterial patterns found in PROM so that the ideal appropriate responsive antibiotics can be chosen.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional was done during the period of 6 months from December of 2023 to May 2023, to characterize the microorganisms in the vaginal fluid found in antenatal women presenting with premature rupture of membraneafter obtaining ethical approval (IRC number: 20102023/02). A total of 117 antenatal women diagnosed with premature rupture of membrane were included in the study. High vaginal swabs were collected for microbial culture and sensitivity. Data were entered using Microsoft Excel 2000 (v9.0) and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 26.0 was used for analysis.

RESULTS

Out of 117 samples, culture growth was present in the culture of high vaginal swabs of 23 (19.66%) women. The high vaginal swab cultures from the samples collected in women presenting with PROM reported 9 different types of pathogens E. coli in 12 (52.17%), Klebsiella in 4 (17.39%) and Pseudomonas in 2 (8.70%) cultures.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals diverse microorganisms in premature rupture of membrane cases, with E. coli being the most common. Identifying these bacterial patterns is essential for selecting effective antibiotics, improving maternal and neonatal outcomes, and reducing morbidity and mortality by early detection and treatment of vaginal infections.

Amniotic fluid embolism: a reappraisal

OBJECTIVES

Using cases from our own experience and from the published literature on amniotic fluid embolism (AFE), we seek to improve on existing criteria for diagnosis and discern associated risk factors. Additionally, we propose a novel theory of pathophysiology.

METHODS

This retrospective case review includes eight cases of AFE from two hospital systems and 21 from the published literature. All cases were evaluated using the modified criteria for research reporting of AFE by Clark et al. in Am J Obstet Gynecol, 2016;215:408-12 as well as our proposed criteria for diagnosis. Additional clinical and demographic characteristics potentially correlated with a risk of AFE were included and analyzed using descriptive analysis.

RESULTS

The incidence of AFE was 2.9 per 100,000 births, with five maternal deaths in 29 cases (17.2 %) in our series. None of the cases met Clark's criteria while all met our criteria. 62.1 % of patients were over the age of 32 years and two out of 29 women (6.9 %) conceived through in-vitro fertilization. 6.5 % of cases were complicated by fetal death. Placenta previa occurred in 13.8 %. 86.2 % of women had cesarean sections of which 52.0 % had no acute maternal indication.

CONCLUSIONS

Our criteria identify more patients with AFE than others with a low likelihood of false positives. Clinical and demographic associations in our review are consistent with those previously reported. A possible relationship between cesarean birth and risk of AFE was identified using our criteria. Additionally, we propose a new hypothesis of pathophysiology.

Gestational Weight Gain, Pregnancy Related Complications and the Short-Term Risks for the Offspring

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Maternal obesity influences pregnancy course in several different manners, and imbalanced nutrition during pregnancy may lead to various adverse pregnancy outcomes. Additionally, nutritional status during pregnancy may have implications for the health of the offspring and may possibly influence early motor development in children. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) on pregnancy outcomes and infant's motor development within the first twelve months of life.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 200 participants divided in two groups based on their gestational weight gain. Maternal, perinatal, and neonatal factors were analyzed, and early motor development was assessed using the Alberta infant motor scale (AIMS).

RESULTS

EGWG was significantly associated with: pre-pregnancy BMI (p < 0.001), family history for cardiovascular diseases (p = 0.013) and diabetes mellitus (p = 0.045), hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (p = 0.003), gestational diabetes mellitus (p < 0.001), gestational anemia (p = 0.001), vitamin D deficiency (p = 0.001), metformin use (p = 0.045), pre-labor premature rupture of membranes (p = 0.031), amniotic fluid index (p = 0.047), and APGAR score in the first five min of life (p = 0.007). Scored by AIMS, EGWG was significantly associated with parameters of early motor development at the age of three AIMS total (p < 0.001), six AIMS total (p < 0.001), nine AIMS total (p < 0.001), and twelve AIMS total (p < 0.001) months of infant's life.

CONCLUSIONS

The link between EGWG and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring is a complex and multifaceted issue. Our results imply significant alterations in early motor development in the group of infants born from mothers who gained weight excessively during pregnancy. Further studies are needed to unravel the intricacies of this relationship and inform strategies for preventive interventions and supportive care during pregnancy and infancy.