SPONTANEOUS BACTERIOLOGICAL COURSE OF PROLONGED RUPTURE OF FETAL MEMBRANES

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 25  (7) , 447-454
Abstract
A bacteriologic study of [human] amniotic fluid was undertaken in 300 cases of prolonged rupture of the membranes to evaluate the risk of infection without systematic administration of prophylactic antibiotics to the mother. The rate of amniotic contamination was 8.3% within the 1st 12 h following rupture of the membranes, it increased with time to reach 52%, after 48 h. In 90% of the cases, contamination was caused by streptococci and anaerobes, Streptococcus B alone being responsible for 50% of the contaminations. Antibiotics administered to the mother were effective, but they needed a 6 h delay to sterilize a contaminated amniotic fluid. Although the overall percentage of contamination was 23%, infection occurred in only 4% of the infants. The outcome was satisfactory in every case. The results do not seem to discredit the suppression of prophylactic cover antibiotic therapy following the premature rupture of the membranes.

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