Impact of Duration Between Membrane Rupture and Delivery on Maternal and Neonatal Health in Term Pregnancies

Background: Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) in term pregnancies is a critical event that influences both maternal and neonatal health. Understanding the impact of the duration between membrane rupture and delivery is crucial for optimizing clinical interventions. Objective: To analyze the impact of the duration between membrane rupture and delivery on maternal and neonatal health outcomes in term pregnancies at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Methods: This observational cohort study was conducted in the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. The study included 98 term pregnant women with spontaneous rupture of membranes (PROM), observed between January 2023 and December 2024. Data on maternal complications, neonatal health, and latency period were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, with calculation of means, standard deviations (SD), and p-values for comparisons. Results: Among the 98 participants, 62% experienced labor onset within 24 hours of PROM, while 38% had delayed labor. Maternal infection (chorioamnionitis) was observed in 15% of patients with a latency period exceeding 24 hours. Neonatal sepsis occurred in 8% of infants born after a latency of more than 24 hours. The mean latency period was 18.4 hours (SD=5.7). The infection rate in patients delivered within 24 hours was 6%, compared to 25% in those with a latency of over 24 hours (p<0.05). Neonatal infection rates were significantly higher in the delayed delivery group (15% vs. 2%) with a p-value of 0.01, highlighting the increased risk of sepsis with prolonged latency. Conclusion: Prolonged latency between membrane rupture and delivery significantly increases the risks of maternal and neonatal infections. Timely labor induction is recommended to minimize these complications.