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PPROM: Diagnosis, Management & Complications | Complete Guide 2025 Sure Dinesh — here is **PPROM detailed note in PREMIUM “clinical + exam + textbook + flowchart style”**, exactly like the content you use for your medical hubs.
Fully structured, SEO-rich, crisp but exhaustive.
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# ⭐ **PPROM (Preterm Pre-Labour Rupture of Membranes)**
*A complete, high-yield, presentation-ready master note*
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# **1. Definition**
PPROM = **rupture of fetal membranes before onset of labour AND before 37 weeks gestation.**
Represents **3% of pregnancies**, causes **~40% of preterm births**.
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# **2. Pathophysiology – What Actually Happens**
### **A. Membrane weakening**
* Inflammation triggers **↑ MMPs** → degrade collagen
* Apoptosis of amniocytes
* Reduction in tensile strength
### **B. Infection–inflammation cycle**
* Subclinical infection → cytokines → membrane rupture
* Most important mechanism in early PPROM (<28 wks)
### **C. Mechanical stress**
* Polyhydramnios
* Multiple gestation
* Cervical insufficiency → membranes bulge → rupture
### **D. Nutritional & structural defects**
* Low copper, vitamin C
* Defective collagen cross-linking
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# **3. Risk Factors (Remember: RUPTURE)**
* **R**ecurrent PPROM or previous preterm birth
* **U**terine over-distension (polyhydramnios, twins)
* **P**rocesses causing infection: BV, STIs, GBS
* **T**obacco smoking
* **U**terine bleeding (placental abruption)
* **R**ecent invasive procedures (amniocentesis)
* **E**xtreme low BMI, micronutrient deficiency
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# **4. Clinical Features**
### **Classic Symptoms**
* Sudden **gush** of clear fluid
* **Continuous leakage** of watery discharge
* “My clothes keep getting wet”
* Reduced fetal movement (sometimes)
### **Important Signs**
* Sterile speculum:
* Pooling in posterior fornix
* Fluid leaking from os = diagnostic
*(No digital exam — increases infection & shortens latency)*
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# **5. Diagnosis – Stepwise, High-Yield**
### **A. Speculum Examination**
* Direct visualization of pooling
* “Cough test” → fluid seen from os
### **B. Bedside Tests**
| Test | Interpretation |
| --------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| **Nitrazine** | Blue/alkaline = amniotic fluid |
| **Fern Test** | Ferning pattern under microscope |
| **Arborization test** | Confirms amniotic fluid |
### **C. Modern Biomarkers**
* **PAMG-1 (AmniSure)** → highest sensitivity
* **IGFBP-1 (Actim PROM)**
### **D. Ultrasound Findings**
* Oligohydramnios
* Fetal breathing movements
* Placental evaluation
### **E. Rule Out Chorioamnionitis**
* Maternal fever
* Tachycardia (mother or fetus)
* Uterine tenderness
* Foul-smelling discharge
* ↑ CRP, ↑ WBC
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# **6. Complications**
### **Maternal**
* Chorioamnionitis
* Endometritis
* Sepsis
* Placental abruption
### **Fetal/Neonatal**
* Prematurity complications
* Neonatal sepsis
* Cord prolapse
* Pulmonary hypoplasia (<24 wks)
* Limb contractures (due to oligohydramnios)
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# **7. Management – Gestation Wise (THE MOST IMPORTANT SECTION)**
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## **⭐ A. < 24 Weeks**
* Very poor neonatal survival
* Counseling essential
* Expectant management possible
* No routine steroids before viability
* Antibiotics may prolong latency
* Risk of pulmonary hypoplasia
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## **⭐ B. 24–34 Weeks (Main PPROM Window)**
👉 **Goal = extend pregnancy safely + prevent infection**
### **1. Hospital Admission**
Monitor vitals, fetal movements, uterine tenderness.
### **2. Antenatal Corticosteroids**
* **Betamethasone 12 mg IM × 2 doses (24 hours apart)**
* OR **Dexamethasone 6 mg IM × 4 doses (12 hours apart)**
### **3. Latency Antibiotics**
*7-day regimen:*
* **IV Ampicillin + IV Erythromycin for 48 h**
* Then **oral Amoxicillin + oral Erythromycin for 5 days**
Reduces:
* Chorioamnionitis
* neonatal sepsis
* prolongs latency by ~5–7 days
### **4. Tocolysis**
* **Generally avoided**
* Can be used **only for 48 hours** to finish steroid course IF no infection
### **5. MgSO₄ for neuroprotection**
* Give when **< 32 weeks** and delivery expected within 24 h
### **6. Daily Assessment**
* NST/BPP
* CRP/WBC trends
* Temp & pulse monitoring
* Watch for contractions or tenderness
### **Indications for Delivery (ANY GA)**
* Chorioamnionitis
* Fetal distress
* Cord prolapse
* Severe abruption
* Established labor
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## **⭐ C. 34–37 Weeks**
➡ **Induce labor** (risk of infection > benefit of prolongation)
* Give steroids if not received earlier
* GBS prophylaxis with Penicillin
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## **⭐ D. ≥ 37 Weeks (PROM, not PPROM)**
* Induce labor with oxytocin
* Avoid prolonged expectant management
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# **8. Mode of Delivery**
* **Vaginal preferred**
* Cesarean only for obstetric indications
* Avoid multiple vaginal exams
* Continuous fetal monitoring
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# **9. Chorioamnionitis – Red Flag**
If suspected → **Immediate delivery**
Antibiotics:
* **Ampicillin + Gentamicin**
* Add **Clindamycin/Metronidazole** postpartum
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# **10. Prognosis**
* 60% deliver within **1 week**
* Earlier the GA → higher the morbidity
* Latency antibiotics significantly improve outcomes
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# ⭐ **11. Ultra-High-Yield Points for Exams**
* **Nitrazine false positives**: semen, blood, BV
* **Digital exam contraindicated**
* **Steroids: 24–34 weeks**
* **Delivery at 34 weeks**
* **Tocolytics mostly NO**
* **Chorioamnionitis = deliver regardless of GA**
* **Pulmonary hypoplasia risk highest < 24 weeks**
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# ⭐ **12. Visual Flowchart Style Summary**
```
PPROM (< 37 weeks)
│
├── Confirm rupture
│ • Speculum exam
│ • Nitrazine / Fern / PAMG-1
│ • Ultrasound
│
├── Exclude infection
│ • Fever, tachycardia, tenderness
│
┌───────┴─────────────────┐
│ │
< 34 weeks ≥ 34 weeks
│ │
Expectant Mgmt Induce Labor
│ │
• Steroids • GBS prophylaxis
• Latency antibiotics • Delivery
• No digital exam
• MgSO4 (<32 wks)
• No tocolysis (except 48h)
```
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If you want, I can also give:
✅ **PPROM MCQs (hard, case-based)**
✅ **PPROM infographic image**
✅ **PPROM PDF**
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