<P> Chorioamnionitis is a bacterial infection of the fetal membranes, which can be life - threatening to both mother and fetus . Women with PROM at any age are at high risk of infection because the membranes are open and allow bacteria to enter . Women are checked often (usually every 4 hours) for signs of infection: fever (> 38 ° C / 100.5 ° F), uterine pain, fast maternal heart rate (> 100 beats per minute), fast fetal heart rate (> 160 beats per minute), or foul - smelling amniotic fluid . Elevated white blood cells are not a good way to predict infection because they are normally high in labor . If infection is suspected, artificial induction of labor is started at any gestational age and broad antibiotics are given . Caesarean section should not be automatically done in cases of infection, and should only be reserved for the usual fetal emergencies . </P> <P> The consequences of PROM depend on the gestational age of the fetus . When PROM occurs at term (after 37 weeks), it is typically followed soon thereafter by the start of labor and delivery . About half of women will give birth within 5 hours, and 95% will give birth within 28 hours without any intervention . The younger the fetus, the longer the latency period (time between membrane rupture and start of labor). Rarely, in cases of preterm PROM, amniotic fluid will stop leaking and the amniotic fluid volume will return to normal . </P> <P> At any gestational age, an opening in the fetal membranes provides a route for bacteria to enter the womb . This can lead to chorioamnionitis (an infection of the fetal membranes and amniotic fluid) which can be life - threatening to both the mother and fetus . The risk of infection increases the longer the membranes remain open and baby undelivered . Women with preterm PROM will develop an intramniotic infection 15--25% of the time, and the chances of infection increase at earlier gestational ages . </P> <P> PROM occurring before 37 weeks (PPROM) is one of the leading causes of preterm birth . Thirty to 35% of all preterm births are caused by PPROM . This puts the fetus at risk for the many complications associated with prematurity such as respiratory distress, brain bleeds, infection, necrotizing enterocolitis (death of the fetal bowels), brain injury, muscle dysfunction, and death . Prematurity from any cause leads to 75% of perinatal mortality and about 50% of all long - term morbidity . PROM is responsible for 20% of all fetal deaths between 24 and 34 weeks' gestation . </P>

Risk for infection related to premature rupture of membrane