[Premature rupture of fetal membranes at term: an indication for induced labor with prostaglandins?].

Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) at term is thought to be related to an increased infection risk for mother and child. A prospective study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of prostaglandins for induction of labour in 433 cases of PROM presenting after 35 completed weeks of gestation. Intracervical gel or vaginal pessaries were given in dependence on the Bishop-score. Course of delivery and fetal outcome were analysed. In 57.3% single application was sufficient to induce the delivery. Only 1.8% of cases did not respond. 21% of patients were delivered within six hours of the first application and 89.6% during the first 24 hours. The rate of cesarean section was 15.5%. Fetal distress caused by uterine hyperstimulation was observed in 9.9% and required intrapartum tocolysis. A fetal acidosis (pH < 7.15) was present in 4.1%. The neonatal infective morbidity was 0.4%. Severe maternal complications were not observed. We conclude that use of prostaglandins for induction of labour in case of PROM at term seems to be a recommendable measure. In primiparous women or in the presence of an unfavorable cervix-score shorter duration to delivery diminishes the risk of fetal infection.