Treatment of Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes with Oligo-/Anhydramnion Colonized by Multiresistant Bacteria with Continuous Amnioinfusion and Antibiotic Administrations through a Subcutaneously Implanted Intrauterine Port System: A Case Report.

Bacterial infection is one of the main causes of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) leading to preterm delivery, pulmonary hypoplasia, sepsis and joint deformities. Expectant management, broad-spectrum antibiotics and antenatal corticosteroids are routinely used in this condition with very limited success to prevent bacteremia, chorioamnionitis, funisitis and intra-amniotic infection syndrome. Here, we report a case in which we attempted to treat PPROM at 26+3 weeks of gestation with anhydramnion colonized by multiresistant Klebsiella. A perinatal port system was implanted subcutaneously at 28+0 weeks of gestation, enabling long-term continuous lavage of the amniotic cavity with a hypotonic aqueous composition similar to human amniotic fluid combined with intra-amniotic antibiotic application. The patient gave birth to a preterm female infant at 31+1 weeks without any signs of infection. The girl was discharged with a weight of 2,730 g in very good condition. In the follow-up examinations at 5 months and 1 year of age, there was no apparent neurological disturbance, developmental delay or Klebsiella colonization.

Amniotic fluid volume in intra-amniotic inflammation with and without culture-proven amniotic fluid infection in preterm premature rupture of membranes.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies reported that the clinical significance of intra-amniotic inflammation with a negative amniotic fluid (AF) culture is similar to that of intra-amniotic inflammation with microbiologically-proven AF infection. However, the magnitude of the fetal inflammatory response in these two conditions is different as gauged by umbilical cord C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. We undertook this study to determine if the frequency of oligohydramnios is different in these two conditions. METHODS: The amniotic fluid index (AFI) was measured in 205 patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM) (23 ng/mL). Patients were divided into three groups according to the results of AF culture and the presence or absence of intra-amniotic inflammation: 1) without intra-amniotic inflammation and a negative culture (n=109); 2) with intra-amniotic inflammation and a negative culture (n=44); and 3) a positive culture (n=52). RESULTS: Patients with a positive culture had a higher frequency of oligohydramnios and a lower median AFI than those with a negative culture but with intra-amniotic inflammation (P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the median AFI or in the frequency of oligo-hydramnios according to the presence or absence of intra-amniotic inflammation among patients with a negative culture (P>0.1). CONCLUSION: Oligohydramnios was more frequent in patients with culture-proven AF infection than in those with intra-amniotic inflammation and a negative AF culture.

Transabdominal amnioinfusion treatment of severe oligohydramnios in preterm premature rupture of membranes at less than 26 gestational weeks.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of transabdominal amnioinfusion on feto-neonatal and maternal morbidity and feto-neonatal mortality. METHODS: We studied 71 patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM) at <26 weeks of gestational age. Thirty-four patients were managed expectantly and 37 underwent serial transabdominal amnioinfusion with saline every 7 days in case of persistent oligohydramnios. RESULTS: Latency period pPROM delivery, week of delivery (26.0 vs. 22.4, p<0.001), neonatal weight (922 vs. 602, p<0.01) and the percentage of intrauterine fetal survival were higher in treated than in control groups (64.8 vs. 32.3%, p<0.01). In amnioinfusion-treated patients, we did not note a higher rate of complications from infection during both pregnancy and puerperium. In the amnioinfusion group, fluid loss within 6 h after infusion is the main variable in predicting pulmonary hypoplasia and neonatal survival. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that amnioinfusion seems to be a low fetal and maternal risk technique that modifies the natural history of pPROM, improving fetal intrauterine stay and survival.

The relationship between oligohydramnios and the onset of preterm labor in preterm premature rupture of membranes.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether a reduced amniotic fluid volume was associated with the onset of preterm parturition in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes. STUDY DESIGN: An amniotic fluid index was determined before transabdominal amniocentesis in 129 patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes (gestational age < or = 35 weeks). Amniotic fluid was cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, as well as for mycoplasmas. Survival techniques were used for analysis. RESULTS: Amniotic fluid index was < or = 5 cm in 29% of patients (38/129). Patients with an amniotic fluid index of < or = 5 cm had a significantly higher rate of positive amniotic fluid culture than those with an amniotic fluid index of >5 cm (42% [16/38] vs 18% [16/91]; P<.01). Spontaneous preterm delivery within 24 hours and 48 hours was more frequent among patients with an amniotic fluid index of < or = 5 cm than those with an amniotic fluid index of >5 cm (for 24 hours, 29% vs 12%; for 48 hours, 42% vs 21%; P<.05 for each). The amniocentesis-to-delivery interval was significantly shorter in patients with an amniotic fluid index of < or = 5 cm than in patients with an amniotic fluid index of >5 cm (median, 38 hours; range, 0.2-1310 hours; vs median, 100 hours; range 0.1-2917 hours; P<.01). Moreover, Cox proportional hazards model analysis indicated that an amniotic fluid index of < or = 5 cm was a significant predictor of the duration of the pregnancy after adjustment for gestational age and the results of amniotic fluid culture (odds ratio, 2.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-3.9; P<.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes and an amniotic fluid index of < or = 5 cm are at increased risk for a shorter interval to delivery.