Prelabor rupture of membranes at term: induction techniques

Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Sep;49(3):672-83. doi: 10.1097/00003081-200609000-00024.

Abstract

The clinical management of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) at term has been a matter of considerable controversy. Management options have included expectant management or induction of labor with oxytocin, dinoprostone (PGE2), or misoprostol. Early studies suggested that immediate oxytocin induction of labor might reduce maternal and neonatal infections while increasing risk for cesarean section. The definitive TermPROM study found no difference in neonatal infections between immediate and delayed induction with oxytocin and PGE2. However, neither PGE2 nor delayed induction resulted in fewer cesarean sections than immediate oxytocin. Misoprostol offers several theoretical advantages over oxytocin in the setting of PROM at term. However, randomized trials to date have found no significant advantage for misoprostol administration compared with other agents for women with PROM.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cesarean Section
  • Dinoprostone / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Labor, Induced / methods*
  • Misoprostol / therapeutic use
  • Oxytocics / therapeutic use
  • Oxytocin / therapeutic use
  • Physical Examination
  • Pregnancy
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Streptococcal Infections / prevention & control
  • Streptococcal Infections / transmission

Substances

  • Oxytocics
  • Misoprostol
  • Oxytocin
  • Dinoprostone