Prophylactic antibiotics in patients with artificial rupture of membranes during labor: (Randomized controlled clinical trial)

Abstract Background Amniotomy, also known as artificial rupture of membranes (AROMs) and by the lay description "breaking the water," is the intentional rupture of the amniotic sac by an obstetrical provider. This procedure is common during labor management and has been performed by obstetrical providers for at least a few hundred years. Amniotomy during labor induction is associated with a faster time to delivery, most notably in nulliparous women, without an increase in cesarean delivery or maternal and neonatal morbidity. Shortening time to delivery is associated with decreased hospital costs and increased patient satisfaction, and therefore, early amniotomy, given the safety profile, should be considered when a faster delivery is of importance to patients and providers. Objective To determine the efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics in patient during labor on reducing maternal and neonatal morbidities. Methods This prospective randomized study was performed from January 2020 to July 2020, at maternity hospital of Ain Shams University. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Candidates for this study included all patients with singleton gestations between 37 weeks and 41 weeks of gestation underwent artificial rupture of the membranes during active phase of labor. Gestational age was confirmed by a reliable last menstrual period, early sonogram. Amniotomy was confirmed by visualization of pooling fluid in the posterior vaginal fornix through the cervix after artificial rupture of membrane by sterile hook. Results There were no statistical significance differences between two groups regarding demographic characteristics, endometritis, cord-prolapse and abruptio placenta. Maternal septicemia was absent in both groups. Chorio-amnionitis, cesarean section rate, episiotomy infection, NICU admission, neonatal sepsis, neonatal hypoxia and intraventricular hemorrhage were significantly less frequent in prophylaxis group. Conclusion Using of prophylactic antibiotics with amniotomy in pregnant women during labor reduced maternal and neonatal morbidities as chorio-amnionitis, endometritis, cesarean section rate, episiotomy infection, NICU admission, neonatal sepsis, neonatal hypoxia and intraventricular hemorrhage. On the other side it had no proved protective effect against maternal septicemia, cord-prolapse and abruptio placenta.