Pregnancy outcome after premature rupture of the membranes at or before 26 weeks' gestation

Pregnancy outcome was examined in 59 clinically stable patients with rupture of the membranes at or before 26 weeks' gestation. The mean gestational age at rupture of the membranes was 23.2 weeks, and the mean latent period was 21.5 days. Delivery occurred within 7 days in 29 patients (49.2%), chorioamnionitis developed in 27 patients (45.8%), and operative delivery was required in 24 patients (40.7%). Sixty-three infants were delivered, with a perinatal mortality rate of 49.1%. Among survivors, 84% required newborn intensive care during the initial hospitalization, 77% were discharged with minor to moderate reversible sequelae, and 16% were discharged with sequelae that were likely to be of long-term duration. Obstetric factors present at rupture of the membranes were evaluated for their ability to predict maternal and neonatal morbid outcomes; obstetric interventions were evaluated for their ability to modify outcomes. These data suggest that outcomes in this subset of patients may not be uniformly dismal, and support clinical decision-making on an individualized basis.