Preterm Prelabour Rupture of Membranes at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Complex, Ondo: A 5-Year Review.

Abstract

third of preterm births. It is associated with increased risk of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence, clinical characteristics as well as feto- maternal outcomes of PPROM at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) Complex, Ondo. METHODS: A retrospective review of women with PPROM from January 2013 to December 2017 was carried out. Data were retrieved from hospital, labour room and Neonatal intensive care unit records. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SSPS), Windows version 23, Computer Software. RESULTS: There were 13,425 births, of which 352 women had PPROM giving a prevalence of 2.6%. The mean age of the women was 30.02 ± 5.26 years. A total of 68.5% of subjects were not registered for care in our facility.  The mean gestational age at delivery was 32.12 ± 2.41 weeks. Caesarean section was the mode of delivery in 32.7% of patients while 17.3% had chorioamnionitis, and 9.4 % developed puerperal sepsis.  Live births accounted for 95.1% of total while 83% and 4.9% of latter had low birth weight and birth asphyxia, respectively. Neonatal unit admission was necessary in 72% of the live births and perinatal mortality was 10.4%. One maternal mortality was recorded. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of PPROM at the UNIMEDTH Ondo is 2.6%. Majority of women with PPROM were not registered for antenatal care at our facility. The high-risk nature of PPROM is evidenced by 83% of babies with low birthweight and almost 5% with birth asphyxia. Early booking for antenatal care and hospital delivery is advocated. Availability of quality neonatal intensive care services is critical in management of babies delivered.