Intra-amniotic infection in patients with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes - Pathophysiology, detection, and management

Intrauterine infection diagnosed in conjuction with prelabor rupture of the membranes (PROM) has traditionally been called chorioamnionitis. Clinical chorioamnionitis has the potential to cause serious complications in both mother and fetus. A discussion of the mechanisms of infection, the pathophysiologic relationships between infection and PROM, the options for detecting infection, and the management of patients with PROM once clinical chorioamnionitis is diagnosed are all critical to a complete understanding of PROM.