ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical outcome of preterm premature
rupture of the membranes (PPROM) in twin versus singleton pregnancies at less than
or equal to 36 weeks' gestation. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 116
twin pregnancies with PPROM at less than or equal to 36 weeks' gestational age and
116 matched singleton pregnancies. The two groups were analyzed for differences in
maternal demographics and perinatal and neonatal outcome. Perinatal and neonatal outcomes
were similar in the two groups. The median latency period, however, was significantly
decreased in the twin group (11.4 hours, Inter Quartile Range: 6.3-26.4) versus the
singleton group (19.5 hours, Inter Quartile Range: 10.2-49.3, p <0.05). The latency
period in each group was notably longer when PPROM occurred at less than 30 weeks'
gestation, but was still shorter in the twin pregnancies (27.6 hours, Inter Quartile
Range: 20-307 versus 75.1 hours, Inter Quartile Range: 15-189, p <0.05). Twin pregnancies
with PPROM at less than or equal to 36 weeks' gestational age have a decreased latency
period when compared to matched singletons. The perinatal and neonatal outcomes, however,
are similar.
Keywords
Twins - preterm premature rupture of the membranes - latency
