The harms of premature rupture of membranes infection

Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
Updated on February 11, 2025
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After premature rupture of membranes, because the amniotic cavity is open, some pathogens can cause intrauterine infections through ascending infections. If an infection occurs after premature rupture of the membranes, the harm caused mainly affects the mother and fetus, divided into the following two aspects: First, the impact on the fetus is that it is easy for the fetus itself to become infected, which can lead to congenital neonatal infections after birth, and in severe cases, it may cause fetal death. Second, it can cause maternal infection. If the infection is only limited to the amniotic cavity, sometimes the impact on the mother is not significant. However, if the infection spreads locally, such as into the pelvic cavity, or spreads through the bloodstream, it can cause a systemic inflammatory response, sometimes causing high fever, and in severe cases, it can lead to septic shock.

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Premature rupture of membranes causes

The causes of premature rupture of membranes, or premature rupture of membranes, occur before labor when the membranes break. Normally, the membranes should rupture during labor when the cervix is fully dilated. Any rupture before this is called premature rupture of membranes. The main causes of premature rupture of membranes are maternal infections or cephalopelvic disproportion. Infections can cause the membranes to become fragile and thin, and movements afterwards may lead to premature rupture. Another scenario is cephalopelvic disproportion, where the fetus is relatively large and the pelvis is small, leading to changes in amniotic fluid pressure, which can also result in premature rupture of membranes.

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Does premature rupture of membranes require induction of labor?

The management of premature rupture of membranes varies depending on the gestational age. If the rupture occurs very early in pregnancy, the doctor will assess the maturity of the fetus. If it seems that the child still has a long way to mature, or it is difficult to conservatively maintain the pregnancy until maturity, induction of labor may be recommended. If the doctor feels that the fetus is mature enough, then induction of labor may be considered, which involves the administration of drugs to induce labor. If it is between these two scenarios, expectant management may be advised, which involves not inducing labor, along with infection prevention, bed rest, etc. Since infection can occur after a long duration of membrane rupture, it is important to closely monitor infection indicators during this period. If an infection is detected, labor may be induced using drugs to expedite delivery.

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Obstetrics
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How to prevent premature rupture of membranes

Premature rupture of membranes is a common complication during pregnancy. Although it is not very severe, it can easily lead to premature delivery and intrauterine infection. If the premature rupture of membranes is not treated promptly, it can also lead to fetal death in utero or cause severe infection in the mother. Prevention is generally emphasized for premature rupture of membranes. First, it is important to prevent vaginal inflammation, as if vaginal inflammation occurs and is not treated promptly, these inflammations can cause infection of the membranes, which then leads to membrane rupture. Second, it is necessary to control uterine contractions. If the intensity of the contractions is very strong, medication should be used early to suppress the contractions, to minimize the exogenous pressure on the membranes. Third, attention should be paid to controlling the amount of amniotic fluid. If there is an excessive amount of amniotic fluid, it is important to carefully look for the causes and intervene. Excessive amniotic fluid can produce high endogenous pressure on the membranes, which also makes them more likely to rupture prematurely. (Please consult a professional physician for medication guidance and do not medicate blindly.)

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

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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Can premature rupture of membranes lead to a vaginal delivery?

If symptoms of premature rupture of membranes occur, further examination is still necessary to determine the specific mode of delivery. If there is only an early rupture of the membranes without systemic infectious symptoms, a comprehensive assessment of the development size of the fetus inside the uterine cavity, the specific amount of amniotic fluid, and the condition of the birth canal should be conducted. If there are no abnormalities, it is possible to attempt vaginal delivery. During the trial of labor, it is also necessary to closely monitor the changes in the amniotic fluid and the condition of the fetal heart rate. If any abnormalities occur, there is also the possibility of switching to an emergency cesarean section at any time.