Recurrence of preterm premature rupture of membranes in relation to interval between pregnancies

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the recurrence risk of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is modified by the interpregnancy interval (IPI). We used the Missouri 1989-1997 longitudinally linked data to examine the recurrence risk of PPROM in women with first 2 (n = 150,929) and first 3 (n = 30,011) successive pregnancies. Race-specific recurrence risks were examined. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were used to estimate risks. Risks of PPROM in the second pregnancy among women with and without previous PPROM were 5.7% and 2.3%, respectively, among white women (OR, 8.7; 95% confidence interval, 6.7-11.4) and 10.3% and 4.3%, respectively, among African American women (OR, 7.2; 95% confidence interval, 5.1-10.1). Short IPI was associated with increased risk for PPROM recurrence, with substantially higher risk for African American women than white women. However, long IPI was associated with increased recurrence among African American women. Women with previous PPROM are at increased risk for recurrence, and a short IPI is associated with increased risk.