Introduction
Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM), defined as rupture of the fetal membranes before the onset of labor and prior to 37 completed weeks of gestation, remains a significant cause of preterm birth and neonatal morbidity. It involves a disruption of the amniotic sac integrity, which can expose the amniotic cavity to microbial invasion, triggering inflammation and potentially leading to adverse perinatal outcomes. Understanding the intra-amniotic environment during preterm PROM is critical to optimizing neonatal outcomes and tailoring clinical interventions.
Historically, intra-amniotic involvement in preterm PROM has been characterized predominantly by the presence or absence of infection, often neglecting the spectrum of inflammatory and microbial states. This study categorizes intra-amniotic conditions into four distinct types based on the presence or absence of inflammation and microbial invasion, providing a gestational age-specific overview and associated neonatal outcomes.
