Childhood outcomes following preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes (PPROM): a population-based record linkage cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine child health, development and educational outcomes for infants born following preterm prelabor rupture of the membrane (PPROM).

STUDY DESIGN: Population-based record linkage cohort study using data from NSW, Australia, 2001 to 2014.

RESULTS: Of 121 822 births at 20 to 37 weeks, 18 799 (15%) followed PPROM, 56 406 (46%) followed spontaneous labor and 46 617 (38%) were planned. Compared with infants of a similar gestational age born following spontaneous labor or planned delivery, exposure to PPROM did not increase the risk of childhood mortality, childhood hospitalization, developmentally vulnerable at school entry, low reading or numeracy scores. Median latency ranged from 12 days (interquartile range 3 to 37 days) at 25 weeks to 1 day (0 to 2 days) at 36 weeks. Longer latency and more advanced gestational age at birth were associated with better outcomes.

CONCLUSION: Infants born following PPROM are at no greater risk of adverse child health, development and education outcomes than those of similar gestational age born without PPROM.