Double-blind; placebo-controlled trial of piperacillin prophylaxis in preterm membrane rupture.

OBJECTIVE

We attempted to test whether antibiotic therapy prolongs pregnancy in preterm premature rupture of membranes, because preterm premature rupture of membranes is frequently associated with chorionic-decidual infection.

STUDY

DESIGN

Women with preterm premature rupture of membranes and a singleton gestation at 24 to 34 completed weeks were randomized to receive either piperacillin 3 gm or placebo intravenously every 6 hours for 72 hours and were managed conservatively until spontaneous delivery, chorioamnionitis, or fetal distress.

RESULTS

Between January 1987 and January 1992, a total of 75 patients were randomized to receive piperacillin (n = 38) or placebo (n = 37). There were no differences between the piperacillin group and the placebo group in mean gestational age at randomization (30.2 +/- 3 vs 30.3 +/- 2.9 weeks). However, a greater number of patients had pregnancy prolonged beyond 7 days (42.1% vs 10.8% p = 0.005) and the mean latency period was significantly prolonged (11.4 +/- 18.8 vs 6.1 +/- 13.6 days, p = 0.001) in the piperacillin group compared with the control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of intravenous piperacillin for 72 hours in preterm premature rupture of membranes significantly prolongs the latency period between membrane rupture and delivery.