important

1. PREMATURE RUPTURE OF
MEMBRANES
PREPARED BY
Ms. Annu Panchal

2. DEFINITION
• Spontaneous rupture of membranes anytime beyond 28th week of
pregnancy and before the onset of spontaneous uterine activity
resulting in cervical dilation is called “premature rupture of
membrane” (PROM)
• When rupture of membrane occurs beyond 37th week but before
the onset of labor, it is called term “premature rupture of
membrane.
• When it occurs before 37 completed weeks. It is called “preterm
premature rupture of membrane”

3. CAUSES
• In majority the causes are not known. Possible causes are:
• Increased friability of membranes ()
• Decreased tensile strength of membranes
• Polyhydramnios
• Cervical incompetence
• Multiple pregnancies
• Infection such as chorioamnionitis , urinary tract infection and
lower genital tract infection.