Preterm premature rupture of membranes: Nutritional and socioeconomic factors

OBJECTIVE: To estimate if there were dietary or socioeconomic factors associated with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM). METHODS: In this case-control study, women with preterm. PROM (n = 46) were compared with healthy pregnant women matched for gestational age and vitamin supplementation. Measurements included fasting homocysteine, red blood cell folate, albumin, creatinine, and complete blood count. Dietary intake was determined by a food frequency questionnaire. Socioeconomic and demographic factors were recorded. RESULTS: There were no differences between fasting homocysteine, red blood cell folate, and vitamin B-12 levels and dietary intake between patients and controls. There was lower hemoglobin in women with preterm PROM compared with the controls (P <.001). There was a three-fold increased odds of having a total family income of less than $25,000 (Canadian) (odds ratio 3.1, 95% confidence interval 1.6,6) in women with preterm PROM. CONCLUSION: Preterm PROM is associated with low maternal hemoglobin and low socioeconomic status. There was no association with nutritional intake. The lower hemoglobin level may be a marker for subclinical infection. (C) 2002 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.