USE OF AMNIOCENTESIS IN PRETERM GESTATION WITH RUPTURED MEMBRANES

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  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 63  (1) , 38-43
Abstract
Patients (61) with preterm rupture of membrane were studied. Transabdominal aminiocentesis was performed successfully in 42 patients (68.8%). Among these 42, 26 (61.9%) had a lecithin:sphingomyelin (L:S) ratio of 1.8 or greater and 16 (38.1%) demonstrated pulmonary immaturity. Amniotic fluid obtained from vaginal pooling was compared to fluid obtained transabdominally in 7 patients and did not demonstrate any significant differences in L:S values. Gram stain and subsequent culturing of amniotic fluid obtained transabdominally was accomplished in 41 patients. Of the 41 patients, 7 (17.0%) had bacteria on Gram stain and/or subsequent amniotic fluid growth. All patients with either bacteria on Gram stain or a positive amniotic fluid culture developed clinical amnionitis or endometritis. Review of the neonatal morbidity and mortality in relation to gestational age of infants with preterm rupture of membranes suggests that: in infants at < 32 wk gestation, amniocentesis need not be done for pulmonary maturity as the morbidity is sufficiently reduced so that delivery should be considered except in cases of suspected delayed pulmonary maturation.

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