Premature rupture of the membranes. A review.

Premature rupture of the membranes remains a significant problem area in obstetrics. When the fetal lung maturity is inadequate and there is no evidence of intrauterine infection, a delay in delivery is recommended. When fetal lung maturity is expected or documented, lengthy delays in delivery should be avoided. Assays for phosphatidylglycerol in amniotic fluid collected from the vagina are most helpful in determining the maturity status. Therapeutic agents to accelerate lung maturity, stop labor or prevent infections must be considered investigational when used during the latency phase of premature rupture of the membranes.