Afr J Reprod Health. 2024 Dec 31;28(12):139-147. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2024/v28i12.15.
ABSTRACT
The study was designed to appraise the effects of early antibiotic administration on reproductive tract infections and fetal membrane cell scorching in instances of premature rupture of membranes (PROM). A total of 107 pregnant women diagnosed with PROM between July 2020 and June 2022 were randomly assigned to two groups: the Intervention (n=54), where ampicillin were administered within 24 hours of PROM onset, and the control group (n=53), where ampicillin were given 24-48 hours after PROM. Maternal and neonatal outcomes, incidence of reproductive tract infections, and fetal membrane cell scorching indicators (Caspase-1, Caspase -3, Caspase-9 and IL-β) were compared. The intervention group had significantly fewer adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes (p<0.05). Post-treatment, rates of Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma solium, and genital tract infections decreased in both groups, with lower rates in the intervention group (p<0.05). Positive expression rates of Caspase-1, -3, -9, and IL-β in placental tissues were also lower in the intervention group (p<0.05). We conclude that administering antibiotics within 12 hours of PROM reduces reproductive tract infections, lowers fetal membrane cell scorching, and improves maternal and neonatal outcomes, supporting early antibiotic use in the management of PROM.
PMID:39772305 | DOI:10.29063/ajrh2024/v28i12.15