ABSTRACT
Preterm premature rupture of the membranes [PPROM] is one of the most important causes of perinatal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate pregnancy outcome in preterm premature rupture of the membranes with amniotic fluid index less than 5 and more than 5. This prospective study was performed on 137 pregnant women with gestational age of 28-34 weeks with PPROM from Oct 2006 to Oct 2008. The patients were divided in two groups according to amniotic fluid index: AFI<5 [77cases], AFI >/= 5 [60 cases]. Chi-square test was used for qualitative variables, while T-student test was used for quantitative test. Both groups were similar with respect to number of pregnancies, gestational age at rupture of the membranes and birth weight. In the group with AFI<5, applied latency was significantly shorter [PV=0.049], rate of cesarean section was higher due to fetal distress [PV=0.008], neonatal Apgar score in first minute was lower during the first week [PV=0.0127] and the rate of neonatal death was higher [PV=0.045] during the first week. An AFI<5 cm after PPROM is associated with earlier delivery, higher rate of cesarean due to fetal distress, higher rate of neonatal death, and lower neonatal Apgar score in first minute during the first week