A STUDY ON INCIDENCE AND AETIOLOGY OF PREMATURE RUPTURE OF MEMBRANES (PROM)

Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) is a common obstetric complication. The aetiopathogenesis of PROM is ill understood. Hence, preventive measures are inadequate & complications are more. In this study, the definition of PROM adopted is – rupture of foetal membranes before the onset of true labour pain. The lower limit of gestational age is taken to be 28 weeks. The aim is to study the incidence of PROM in specific patient groups, and also the causal association of PROM with some risk factors. It is observed that incidence of PROM is higher in unbooked cases, multigravidae, low socioeconomic status etc., and that chorioamnionitis, malpresentations, non-engaged presenting part, coitus, previous preterm labour & cervical surgeries have a causal association with PROM. These results mostly corroborate with the findings of other researchers. It was concluded that further studies are required to describe the aetiopathogenesis of PROM so that complications can be prevented.