Interval from rupture of the membranes to delivery and neonatal respiratory adaptation

Summary. The influence of the time interval from rupture of the membranes to delivery on neonatal respiratory adaptation was analysed in a prospective study of all infants born in Goteborg, Sweden in one year. The correlation between the incidence of respiratory disorders and the rupture-delivery interval was analysed in all preterm infants (≤36 weeks, n =240) and in all term infants born by caesarean section ( n =452). A uniform pattern was found for all preterm infants, irrespective of mode of delivery, and for the term infants born by caesarean section. The curve was 'U-shape' with higher incidence of respiratory diseases in infants born immediately after rupture of the membranes than in those born 3–36 h after membrane. rupture. The incidence increased again in infants born >36 h after membrane rupture. The same pattern was found for all kinds of respiratory diseases including idiopatic respiratory distress syndrome. Therefore, there seems to be no advantage in postponing delivery >36h after rupture of the membranes.