Erythromycin Versus Placebo in Management of Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes

Abstract

Objective: To determine the efficacy of erythromycin on the latency period in preterm and premature spontaneous rupture of fetal membranes and improving fetal outcome compared with placebo.

Materials and methods: This study was a prospective non-randomized controlled trial (non-RCT) carried out in Tripoli Medical Center during the period between December-1-2009 and December-31-2010. Two hundred pregnant patients with gestational age Between 28 and 36 weeks were enrolled in this study. One hundred patients received erythromycin 250mg orally every 6 hours for 7 days, while the other one hundred patients received placebo. Dexamethasone two doses 12mg every 12 hours intramuscular injection was given to the patients with gestational age was between 28 and 34 weeks.

Results: There was a significant prolonged latency period in patients received erythromycin compared with patients received placebo (p=0.001). The erythromycin therapy was significantly reduced morbidity and mortality (31% vs. 36%) (10% vs. 20%) respectively.

Conclusion: We concluded that erythromycin administration following PPSROM was associated with increased latency period and reduced in major markers of neonatal morbidity.