Correlation between myometrial thickness and the latency interval in preterm premature rupture of membranes

ABSTRACT

In order to predict the time of labor in patients with preterm premature rupture of membrane [PPROM], different factors have been studied resulting in different detection rates. Recently, sonographic measurement of myometrial thickness [MT] has been introduced and studied as an applicable and noninvasive method in predicting the length of latency interval [LI] of labor [the period from PPROM to start of labor]. The objective of our study was to determine the correlation between MT and LI in pregnant women with PPROM led to oligohydramnios. This was a cross-sectional study on 24 cases with PPROM. The sonographic measurement of myometrial thickness and the latency interval of patients with PPROM without labor pain were recorded. Gestational age was between 26-34 weeks and amniotic fluid index [AFI] was less than 5 percentile. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. The mean +/- SD maternal age was 29.2 +/- 1.2 years. The AFI in all women was less than 5% percentile of normal fluid for that gestational age. The mean +/- SD of gestational age was 29.1 +/- 2.2 weeks. The mean +/- SD of MT was 6.5 +/- 1.5 mm interiorly, 7.9 +/- 4.2 mm fundal, 6.6 +/- 1.7 mm in the lower segment and 7.8 +/- 2.2 mm laterally. The mean LT was 545 +/- 4.7 hours. Our study showed that there is no significant correlation between MT and LI in pregnant women with PPROM and reduced AFI