Premature rupture of membranes

Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) refers to the spontaneous rupture of the fetal membranes before the onset of labor. It can be classified into term PROM and preterm PROM. Term PROM: Refers to the rupture of fetal membranes at or after 37 weeks of gestation. Preterm PROM: Refers to the spontaneous rupture of fetal membranes before 37 weeks of gestation. Preterm PROM is one of the main causes of preterm birth, and the earlier the gestational age, the more severe the consequences. The typical symptom of PROM is the sudden gush of clear, yellowish fluid from the vagina. In cases accompanied by intra-amniotic infection, the vaginal discharge often has a foul odor, and the patient may experience fever. If PROM is suspected, the patient should immediately go to the hospital accompanied by family members, minimize activity, and lie flat to prevent further amniotic fluid leakage.