Residual amniotic fluid volume predicts the sealing of preterm prelabor rupture of fetal membranes in the pre- and periviable period

Objective: Preterm prelabor rupture of fetal membranes (pPROM) is a leading cause of preterm birth. When pPROM occurs around the pre- and periviable period, the perinatal outcome is unfavorable. However, there have been a few cases in which the leakage of amniotic fluid ceases and the ruptured fetal membranes are spontaneously sealed. Materials and methods: The prognosis of 38 cases of pPROM at less than 27 weeks of gestation in Kyoto University Hospital were studied. The clinical factors related to the sealing of fetal membranes were investigated. Results: Spontaneous sealing was confirmed in five patients (13%), and sealing occurred within 14 days of pPROM. Women in the no sealing group delivered at 26.3 ± 0.5 weeks of gestation, whereas women in the sealing group delivered at term at 38.8 ± 0.4 weeks (p