Does genital tract GBS colonization affect the latency period in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes not in labor prior to 34 weeks?

OBJECTIVE

To determine if genital tract colonization with GBS at the time of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) affects the latency period.

STUDY

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study was performed of all gravidas admitted with PPROM between 23 and 34 weeks of gestation from 1 January 2003 to 29 February 2012. Vaginal/rectal specimens for GBS were performed on admission. The latency period and infectious complications were evaluated in GBS-positive and GBS-negative groups.

RESULTS

Hundred and eighty-nine women were identified with PPROM, 177 meet the inclusion criteria. 60 patients were GBS positive on admission, 117 were GBS negative. Median latency period in GBS-positive and GBS-negative groups did not differ (6.8 versus 7.3 days, p = 0.384). Risk of intra-amniotic, wound infection, maternal and neonatal sepsis, and composite infectious morbidity did not differ between the GBS-positive and GBS-negative groups. Among patients who underwent cesarean delivery, GBS-negative group had a higher risk of endomyometritis (25%) compared to the GBS-positive group (6%), p = 0.05.

CONCLUSION

GBS genital tract colonization on admission does not appear to affect the latency period or increase the risk of intra-amniotic infection in patients with PPROM.