Management of preterm prematurely ruptured membranes: a retrospective comparison of observation versus use of steroids and timed delivery.

A retrospective study of 38 women with preterm prematurely ruptured membranes was performed. Twenty were treated with intravenous hydrocortisone followed by timed delivery between 48 and 72 hours after initiation of steroid therapy. Eighteen were managed expectantly, with observation for labor and infection. There were no significant differences between steroid-treated patients and observed patients in the incidence of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, perinatal mortality, or maternal or neonatal infections.