Questionnaire survey on the management of pregnant women with preterm premature rupture of membranes

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this survey was to study the status of the actual practice in the management of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) between 34.0 and 36.6 weeks of gestation. METHODS: This survey was designed for obstetricians who work in secondary or tertiary medical institutions and attended the Korean Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine conference held on July 1, 2017, in Korea, using a structured questionnaire consisting of 5 questions. RESULTS: The most commonly used antibiotic was cephalosporin monotherapy (34.5%). Antenatal corticosteroids were applied up to 34.0 weeks of gestation in half of the respondents. The frequency of expectant management was higher than that of immediate delivery in women with PPROM between 34.0 and 36.6 weeks of gestation (57.4%). The most important factor in determining immediate delivery was the symptoms of chorioamnionitis. CONCLUSION: The present survey showed a considerable variation in the actual management of PPROM in women, especially the optimal timing of delivery. More evidenced-based studies with statistical power are required to decrease the heterogeneity of clinical practice.