Preterm Labour

Question 1

What are the risks of prematurity?

Answer 1

• increased mortality depends on gestation
• respiratory distress syndrome
• intraventricular haemorrhage
• necrotizing enterocolitis
• chronic lung disease, hypothermia, feeding problems, infection, jaundice
• retinopathy of newborn, hearing problems

Question 2

What is PPROM?

Answer 2

Preterm prelabour rupture of the membranes (

Question 3

Complications of PPROM?

Answer 3

• fetal: prematurity, infection, pulmonary hypoplasia

* maternal: chorioamnionitis

Question 4

What must you not do in PPROM?

Answer 4

Digital exam- sterile speculum can be done

Question 5

Management of PPROM?

Answer 5

• admission
• regular observations to ensure chorioamnionitis is not developing
• oral erythromycin should be given for 10 days
• antenatal corticosteroids should be administered to reduce the risk of respiratory distress syndrome
• delivery should be considered at 34 weeks of gestation - there is a trade-off between increased risk of maternal chorioamnionitis with a decreased risk of respiratory distress syndrome as the pregnancy progresses