TITLE:
Assessment of Maternal and Perinatal Health after Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes before 32 Weeks in Three Hospitals in Yaoundé, Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Christiane J. F. Nsahlai, Lyeb Odile Cindy, Essiben Felix, Ngono Akam Vanina Marga, Mpono Emenguele Pascale, Mboua Batoum Veronique Sophie, Nyada Serge Robert, Ebong Clifford Ebotane, Foumane Pascal
KEYWORDS:
Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes, 32 Weeks, Yaoundé
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.15 No.4,
April
30,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: The consequences of premature rupture of membranes are most severe when they occur before 32 weeks of pregnancy. The aim of the study was to assess maternal and perinatal health post preterm PROM (PPROM) before 32 weeks gestation in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Methodology: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study from January to May 2022 in three hospitals in Yaoundé. We included all women admitted for PPROM before 32 weeks. Maternal and perinatal outcomes were evaluated by various parameters including sociodemographics, clinical obstetric data, infections, latency period, mode of delivery and maternal-fetal morbidity and/or mortality. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 15.0, with bivariate analyses to determine associations. We used a 95% confidence interval and an α margin of error of 5%. Differences were considered statistically significant for p values ≤ 0.05. Results: Of 48 study participants, we found that the frequency of PPROM before 32 weeks was 2.2%. The mean age was 28.2 ± 6.3 years. Only 25% of study participants had a history of PPROM. Most of the pregnancies were singleton. Only 6.2% of women reported more than 5 ANCs, 93.7% had undergone routine infectious work-up, and 58.3% had pathological pregnancies. The most frequently performed tests were complete blood count CBC (70.8%), c-reactive protein (CRP) (66.7%) and hemoparasite/rapid diagnostic test for malaria (43.8%). Group B Streptococcus was the most common germ isolated via high vaginal swab (HVS) (50%). The frequencies of antibiotic therapy, corticosteroid therapy and tocolysis were 100%, 83.3% and 43.8% respectively. Most women gave birth within 3 days or less. The frequency of cesarean section was 31.3%. We reported maternal infection in 50% and no maternal morbidity. Perinatal mortality was 52.7%, dominated by early neonatal deaths at 41.8%. Conclusion: The maternal prognosis of PPROM before 32 weeks was favorable, while the neonatal prognosis was dismal, with a perinatal death rate of 52.7%.