Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2007 Oct;50(10):1344-1353.

Clinical outcome of preterm premature rupture of membranes in singleton versus twin pregnancy

• Seo ES
• Ko OJ
• Song SE
• Cho HJ
• Choi SJ
• Oh SY
• Kim JH
• Roh CR

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To compare the latency period and perinatal outcome of singleton and twin pregnancies complicated by preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM).
METHODS
From January 1996 to December 2005, the medical records of women with singleton (n=345) and twin pregnancies (n=73) complicated by PPROM (24-34 weeks of gestation) were reviewed. Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes including the latency period, neonatal morbidity, and mortality were compared between the singleton and twin groups.
RESULTS
No differences were noted with respect to gestational age at the time of membrane rupture and use of tocolytics, steroid and prophylactic antibiotics between the two groups. The latency period was significantly shorter in twins (median [range]; 4.0 [0-50] day vs. 1.0 [0-25] days, p<0.001), and significantly more twins were born within 48 hours and within 7 days after rupture of the membranes (within 48 hours, 33.0%vs. 65.8%, p<0.001; within 7 days, 67.5%vs. 87.7%, p<0.001). The latency period was longer when PPROM occurred before 30 weeks of gestation than after 30 weeks of gestation in both groups (median [range]; singleton, 11.5 [0-50] days vs. 3.0 [0-33] days, p<0.001; twin, 3.0 [0-25] days vs. 0 [0-6] day, p<0.001). Although gestational age at delivery was similar in singleton and twin groups, more twin infants had low birth weight, low Apgar score and neonatal morbidities.
CONCLUSION
Twin pregnancy with PPROM, compared to singleton pregnancy with PPROM, had shorter latency period and worse perinatal outcome.

Keyword

Preterm premature rupture of membranes; Twin pregnancy; Latency period; Perinatal outcome

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Apgar Score
Female
Gestational Age
Humans
Infant
Infant, Low Birth Weight
Infant, Newborn
Latency Period (Psychology)
Medical Records
Membranes*
Mortality
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, Twin*
Rupture*
Tocolytic Agents
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Tocolytic Agents