Is the risk of infection high with premature rupture of membranes?

Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
Updated on September 04, 2024
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In general, after premature rupture of membranes, there is still a significant risk of intrauterine infection. Normally, after premature rupture of membranes, it is necessary to clearly determine whether the development size of the embryo inside the uterine cavity is mature, as well as the specific amount of premature rupture of membranes and vaginal discharge. If the rupture of membranes is severe and there is a large amount of amniotic fluid flowing out of the vagina, it generally may lead to a reduction in amniotic fluid and significantly increase the risk of infection. After confirming premature rupture of membranes, it is necessary to actively use antibiotics for symptomatic treatment to prevent infections, promote fetal lung maturity inside the uterine cavity, and reduce the risk of delayed lung function development in the fetus after childbirth.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Can premature rupture of membranes be detected?

Premature rupture of membranes refers to the rupture of membranes before labor, manifested as vaginal discharge and abdominal pain, among other symptoms. The diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes is primarily conducted through the following methods: First, based on the patient's symptoms. The most typical symptom of premature rupture of membranes is the discharge of clear fluid from the vagina. This can generally be identified as amniotic fluid by the naked eye, which helps in diagnosing premature rupture of membranes. Second, if the amount of vaginal discharge is minimal, PH test strips can be used for detection. A change in the PH strip may indicate a diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes. Third, an ultrasound can also generally assess premature rupture of membranes, as the amount of amniotic fluid will decrease when the membranes have ruptured. These methods combined can confirm the presence of premature rupture of membranes.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Premature rupture of membranes requires what examinations?

To diagnose premature rupture of membranes, first, a pH test of the vaginal fluid must be conducted. The normal pH value of vaginal fluid in women ranges from 4.5 to 5.5, whereas the pH of amniotic fluid ranges from 7.0 to 7.5. If the membranes have ruptured prematurely, the pH value would be greater than 6.5. Additionally, a smear test of the vaginal fluid can be done by placing vaginal secretions under a glass slide and examining them under a microscope. If fern-like crystals are observed, this indicates the presence of amniotic fluid. Furthermore, an ultrasound examination can be conducted. If the ultrasound shows a rapid decrease in the amount of amniotic fluid, this can assist in the diagnosis.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Is premature rupture of membranes dangerous?

When preterm premature rupture of membranes occurs, it can have certain impacts on both the pregnant woman and the fetus. The risks of preterm premature rupture of membranes primarily include the possibility of umbilical cord prolapse, preterm birth, or infection during pregnancy. If the presenting part of the fetus has not descended and the umbilical cord slips into the vagina, umbilical cord prolapse can easily occur, which is very dangerous and can lead to fetal hypoxia or even stillbirth. After the rupture of membranes, bacteria originally present in the vagina may take this opportunity to enter the uterus, causing chorioamnionitis or endometritis. If the infection is not controlled in time, sepsis may also occur.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Premature rupture of membranes symptoms

Premature rupture of membranes refers to the rupture of the membranes before labor, and the symptoms of premature rupture of membranes include the following aspects: Firstly, a large amount of fluid will flow out of the vagina. Once the membranes rupture, amniotic fluid will flow out intermittently, releasing a colorless and odorless fluid, which will wet the underwear. Secondly, there may be a small amount of bleeding. When the membranes rupture, the capillaries at the edges of the membranes may bleed slightly, mixing with the amniotic fluid, resulting in some spotting or slight bleeding. Thirdly, there may be abdominal pain and the sensation of contractions. After the rupture of the membranes, this can stimulate the cervix, causing the release of inflammatory mediators from the cervix and inducing uterine contractions, leading to contractions and the sensation of abdominal pain. These are the symptoms of premature rupture of membranes.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Premature rupture of membranes causes and symptoms

The symptoms of premature rupture of membranes include the following aspects: First, the most important symptom is the intermittent discharge of clear fluid from the vagina, which is often the most typical symptom of premature rupture of membranes. Second, abdominal pain can occur, as the rupture of the membranes can stimulate contractions causing pain. Third, sometimes there may be a small amount of spotting, mainly due to a small amount of bleeding caused when the membranes rupture. The causes of premature rupture of membranes include the following aspects: First, excessive amniotic fluid can cause high pressure inside the amniotic cavity, which may sometimes lead to spontaneous rupture of the membranes. Second, if there is local inflammation, such as chorioamnionitis, it can also cause the membranes to rupture under severe conditions, leading to premature rupture of membranes.