BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) is a serious complication during pregnancy, which is accompanied by prenatal, neonatal and maternal complications including premature delivery, infection and fetal death. The Purpose of this research is to study the frequency of maternal risk factors and neonatal complications of premature rupture of membranes.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 309 infants with premature rupture of membranes (more than 18 hours before delivery) from 2009 to 2015. After confirming premature rupture of membranes based on history and speculum examination, a questionnaire containing pregnancy information, delivery information and infant profile was completed and assessed.

FINDINGS: Maternal risk factors included diabetes (23 cases, 12.7%), hypertension (17 cases, 9.5%), smoking (16 cases, 8.9%), history of premature rupture of membrane (16 cases, 8.9%), urinary tract infection (13 cases, 7.2%), thyroid disorders (9 cases, 5%), previous premature birth (8 cases, 4.4%) and cerclage (7 cases, 3.8%). Delivery complications included cesarean (117 cases, 38.1%), oligohydramnios (61 cases, 33.9%), chorioamnionitis (14 cases, 11.6%), placental abruption (17 cases, 9.5%), fetal distress (6 cases, 3.3%), intrapartum fever (6 cases, 3.3%) and placenta praevia (5 cases, 2.8%). Neonatal complications included immaturity (165 cases, 73%), jaundice (108 cases, 59%), neonatal infection (94 cases, 52%), respiratory distress syndrome (65 case, 30.4%) and asphyxia (52 cases, 17%). There was a significant difference between infants with infection and without infection in terms of first and fifth minute Apgar scores, erythrocyte sedimentation, platelet and gestational age (p=0.000).

CONCLUSION: Results of the study demonstrated that diabetes and hypertension are the most frequent maternal risk factors of premature rupture of membranes. Immaturity, respiratory disorders, asphyxia and infection are the most serious associated problems. It may be possible to reduce neonatal problems with proper measures and management