[Premature rupture of the membranes: its effects on the newborn infant and the validity of antibiotic prophylaxis].

Premature Rupture of Membranes (R.P.M.) is often described in association with both amniotic fluid infections and the high risk of respiratory distress sindrome and of neonatal infections. But amniotic fluid infections, as underlined by some authors, may be a cause of R.P.M. as well as a consequence. Several attempts were made to formulate guidelines for early detection and treatment of neonatal septicaemia. In such a contest we considered 10 infants with R.P.M.: 9 treated with preventive antibiotics, 1 treated without any preventive antibiotics. We monitored the leucocyte and trombocyte counts as well as superficial swabs taken from the eyes, ears, throat, nose, umbilicus; clinical findings such as temperature, weight, gastrointestinal and breathing symptoms, jaundice were also monitorised in them all. The group treated with preventive antibiotics didn't show any compliance. The patient treated without any antibiotics showed signs and symptoms of septicemia on 7th day of life.