Respiratory outcomes of neonates born after previable premature rupture of membranes and treated with gentle ventilation

Abstract Objective: We aim to describe neonatal respiratory outcomes following previable preterm premature rupture of membranes(PPROM) when gentle ventilation is utilized. We also report maternal morbidity and mortality. Study Design: This is a retrospective single center cohort study of infants delivered between 2016 and 2020 that included infants born at ≥23 weeks without major congenital anomaly after a pregnancy complicated with PPROM before 23-week gestation. Statistical analysis utilized unpaired Student’s t test or Mann-Whitney U test when appropriate. Results: 35 infants from 33 pregnancies were included. 91.4% of infants survived until discharge and 12.1% developed Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia(BPD). Those who developed BPD had significantly lower amniotic fluid levels prior to delivery(p<0.05). There was no significant maternal morbidity or mortality in this cohort. Conclusion: This cohort had high survival and low rates of respiratory morbidities. This suggests the use of gentle ventilation might be the optimal strategy for patients born after previable PPROM.