Preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes: A disease of the fetal membranes

Preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes (pPROM) remains a significant obstetric problem that affects 3 –4% of all pregnancies and precedes 40–50% of all preterm births. pPROM arises from complex, multifaceted pathways. In this review, we summarize some old concepts and introduce some novel theories related to pPROM pathophysiology. Specifically, we introduce the concept that pPROM is a disease of the fetal membranes where inflammation–oxidative stress axis plays a major role in producing pathways that can lead to membrane weakening through a variety of processes.
Source: Seminars in Perinatology - Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Source Type: research