Core-temperature Monitoring in Patients With PPROM for Early Detection of Chorioamnionitis - a Pilot Study

Introduction A prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) is defined as a loss of amniotic fluid within a rupture of amniotic membrane before the onset of labour, as preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) refers to PROM before 37+0 weeks of gestation.

PPROM occurs in 3 percent of pregnancies and is associated with one third of preterm births. There are multiple risk-factors for PPROM as maternal physiologic, genetic, and environmental as well as life-style factors. Of note, history of PPROM in a previous pregnancy, antepartum bleeding, cigarette smoking and genital tract infections, as the single most identifiable risk factor, are strongly associated with PPROM.

PPROM is diagnosed by the clinical loss of fluid from the cervical os. In case of not immediately visible amniotic fluid loss during the gynecological inspection, it can be diagnosed by ultrasound and verified by tests like the Amnisure© or the Fertisave© which detect the alpha microgloubulin 1 or the IGF binding protein of the fetal membranes.

Referring to a randomized controlled trial, the majority of pregnancies with PPROM deliver within one week of membrane rupture.

PPROM-related morbidity and mortality, which depends on gestational age, is higher in the neonate than in the mother, especially in case of intrauterine inflammation. Pulmonary hypoplasia, facial and orthopedic deformation can be the cause of prolonged, early PPROMS.