Premature rupture of membranes how is it shown on ultrasound?

Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
Updated on January 11, 2025
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Ultrasound is a commonly used auxiliary method for diagnosing premature rupture of membranes. After the membranes rupture prematurely, amniotic fluid intermittently leaks out from the uterine cavity, but the production of amniotic fluid often cannot keep up with the leakage. Therefore, the majority of pregnant women with premature rupture of membranes will experience a reduction in amniotic fluid volume. Ultrasound will reveal that there is still a small amount of amniotic fluid in the amniotic cavity, but the volume is much lower than the normal range; the maximum depth of the amniotic fluid should be less than three centimeters, and the amniotic fluid index should be less than eight centimeters, which is a common occurrence. However, sometimes, if not much amniotic fluid leaks out after premature rupture of membranes, the ultrasound may sometimes show that the amniotic fluid volume is normal. In such cases, it is necessary to combine this finding with the patient's clinical symptoms to jointly determine the presence of premature rupture of membranes.

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Written by Liu Wen Li
Obstetrics
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Can premature rupture of membranes be repaired?

The amniotic sac, once ruptured, cannot be repaired. It is a membrane that envelops the fetus and the amniotic fluid, providing protection against microbial invasion from the outside and preventing infection of the fetus. Once ruptured, not only can the amniotic fluid leak, leading to a decrease in its volume, but it can also lead to infections and the possibility of umbilical cord prolapse. Typically, rupture of the amniotic sac naturally leads to contractions. Therefore, if it is not yet full-term, it is important to prevent the rupture of the amniotic sac.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
1min 6sec home-news-image

Premature rupture of membranes how is it shown on ultrasound?

Ultrasound is a commonly used auxiliary method for diagnosing premature rupture of membranes. After the membranes rupture prematurely, amniotic fluid intermittently leaks out from the uterine cavity, but the production of amniotic fluid often cannot keep up with the leakage. Therefore, the majority of pregnant women with premature rupture of membranes will experience a reduction in amniotic fluid volume. Ultrasound will reveal that there is still a small amount of amniotic fluid in the amniotic cavity, but the volume is much lower than the normal range; the maximum depth of the amniotic fluid should be less than three centimeters, and the amniotic fluid index should be less than eight centimeters, which is a common occurrence. However, sometimes, if not much amniotic fluid leaks out after premature rupture of membranes, the ultrasound may sometimes show that the amniotic fluid volume is normal. In such cases, it is necessary to combine this finding with the patient's clinical symptoms to jointly determine the presence of premature rupture of membranes.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
1min 9sec home-news-image

Can there still be fetal movement if the membranes rupture at five months of pregnancy?

Being about five months pregnant generally corresponds to around twenty weeks of pregnancy. During this period, if premature rupture of membranes (PROM) occurs, fetal movements are usually still perceptible. This is because, although amniotic fluid intermittently leaks due to PROM, it continues to be produced. Therefore, a certain amount of amniotic fluid remains within the amniotic cavity, providing space for fetal activity, allowing the mother to feel fetal movements. However, sometimes there may be abnormal changes in fetal movements, such as an increase or decrease. For a five-month pregnancy with PROM, regardless of the presence of fetal movements, it is generally not recommended to attempt to preserve the pregnancy. This is because the success rate of sustaining the pregnancy is very low at this stage. Even if the pregnancy could be extended by about a month to reach twenty-four weeks, the survival rate of the fetus remains extremely low. Therefore, when PROM occurs at five months of pregnancy, although fetal movements can still be detected, it is not possible to maintain the pregnancy, and it is necessary to promptly opt for induction of labor to terminate the pregnancy.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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How is premature rupture of membranes diagnosed?

Premature rupture of membranes refers to the rupture of the membranes before labor, with amniotic fluid leaking intermittently. For the diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes, the following methods are primarily used. First, through the symptoms of the patient, when the membranes rupture prematurely, a clear liquid intermittently leaks from the vagina. However, this liquid must be distinguished from vaginal secretions and urine. Second, judgement can be made based on the presence of fern-like crystals in the amniotic fluid. A small amount of the liquid can be taken and observed under a microscope, and if distinct fern-like crystals are observed, it can be concluded that there is premature rupture of membranes. Third, the use of premature rupture of membranes test strips can aid in diagnosis. If the test strip changes color upon contact with the leaking fluid, it can be definitively diagnosed as premature rupture of membranes. Fourth, ultrasound can serve as a supplementary method, as amniotic fluid often decreases with premature rupture of membranes, and an ultrasound can reveal amniotic fluid levels below the normal range.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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Premature rupture of membranes symptoms

Under normal circumstances, if there is no regular contraction and the amniotic fluid breaks after full-term, it is known as premature rupture of membranes. Regardless of the period, if premature rupture of membranes occurs, active symptomatic treatment is necessary. Normally, premature rupture of membranes may involve sudden vaginal discharge caused by various reasons. The amount of discharge can vary, usually being continuous, with the duration also varying. It starts with a large amount, then gradually decreases, with a few cases being intermittent. The vaginal discharge is usually related to changes in the pregnant woman's posture or activity. It can be seen that fluid leaks from the vaginal opening, or flows out from inside the vagina during upper fetal head push, pressing on the fundus, or when the posture of the pregnant woman changes. This condition can then be confirmed as premature rupture of membranes.