Neonatal outcomes are associated with latency after preterm premature rupture of membranes

Objective:to determine factors associated with latency time to birth after preterm premature rupture of membranes (pprom) and the impact on neonatal outcomes.study design:data on singleton pregnancies with pprom (n=1535 infants) were prospectively collected in a computerized perinatal/neonatal database at a tertiary care perinatal center. latency was characterized as ⩽72h versus >72 h after pprom.result:the percentage of women with latency to birth >72 h decreased from 67% in very preterm (gestational age (ga) 25 to 28 weeks) to 10% in late preterm women (ga 33 to 36 weeks). pprom women with latency ⩽72 h were more likely to have pregnancy-induced hypertension and birth weight <3%; pprom women with latency >72 h were more likely to have received steroids and develop clinical chorioamnionitis. pprom <32 weeks ga with latency ⩽72 h was associated with a two-fold higher incidence of severe neonatal morbidity, while pprom between 29 to 34 weeks ga and latency ⩽72 h was associated with a higher incidence of moderate neonatal morbidity.conclusion:a latency period >72 h was associated with a decreased incidence of adverse neonatal outcomes up to 32 weeks ga for severe and 34 weeks ga for moderate morbidity indices.