Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes Post-delivery in Spontaneous Rupture of Membrane (SROM) at Term

Alhran, Rusol Waleed

doi:10.33762/mjbu.2026.170030.1350

	Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes Post-delivery in Spontaneous Rupture of Membrane (SROM) at Term
The Medical Journal of Basrah University
Article 2, Volume 44, Issue 1, July 2026, Pages 7-13 PDF (180.87 K)
Document Type: Research Paper
DOI: 10.33762/mjbu.2026.170030.1350
Author
rusol waleed alhran^*
Ibn Ghazwan Hospital, Basra Health Directorate
Abstract
Abstract Spontaneous rupture of membranes (SROM) at term refers to the natural rupture of the amniotic sac before the onset of labor at or beyond 37 weeks of gestation. It occurs in approximately 8–10% of pregnancies and represents a common clinical event in obstetric practice. Although SROM may lead to normal vaginal delivery, delayed onset of labor after membrane rupture may increase the risk of maternal and neonatal complications. Prolonged rupture of membranes is particularly associated with ascending infections, maternal morbidity such as chorioamnionitis and postpartum endometritis, and neonatal complications including respiratory distress, jaundice, and sepsis. Therefore, careful monitoring and timely management are essential to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study aimed to determine maternal and neonatal outcomes following spontaneous rupture of membranes at term. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Alfayhaa Teaching Hospital in Basrah, Iraq, from October 2024 to September 2025. The study included 50 pregnant women with singleton term pregnancies (≥37 weeks) who presented with SROM. Women with preterm rupture of membranes, multiple pregnancies, or significant obstetric complications were excluded. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included demographic characteristics, obstetric history, pregnancy complications, delivery characteristics, and maternal and neonatal outcomes. Maternal outcomes assessed included duration of labor, postpartum hemorrhage, infection, and length of hospital stay. Neonatal outcomes included birth weight, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, respiratory distress, jaundice, hypoglycemia, neonatal sepsis, and mortality. The results showed that the mean age of participants was 24.96 ± 5.96 years. Most women were housewives with primary education and lived in urban areas. Nulliparous women represented 38% of the sample, and anemia was the most common pregnancy complication (30%). The mean gestational age at delivery was 38.7 ± 0.99 weeks. Vaginal delivery occurred in 62% of cases, while 34% required cesarean section. Labor induction was required in 68% of women due to delayed onset of spontaneous labor following SROM. The mean duration of labor was 5.66 ± 4.21 hours. Maternal postpartum outcomes showed that postpartum hemorrhage occurred in 16% of cases and maternal infections in 6%. The average hospital stay was 24.1 ± 4.1 hours. Neonatal outcomes indicated that the mean birth weight was 3.59 ± 0.42 kg. However, 30% of newborns required NICU admission, mainly due to respiratory distress (30%), jaundice (28%), and hypoglycemia (16%). Neonatal sepsis occurred in 4% of cases. In conclusion, spontaneous rupture of membranes at term is frequently associated with delayed labor onset, which often necessitates labor induction. It may also increase the risk of cesarean delivery, maternal morbidity, and neonatal complications. Early clinical intervention, appropriate monitoring, and improved antenatal education—especially among women with limited educational backgrounds—may help reduce adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes following SROM at term. Keywords: Maternal outcomes, Neonatal outcomes, Spontaneous rupture of membranes, SROM, Term pregnancy.
Keywords
Keywords: Labour induction; Postpartum hemorrhage; Neonatal intensive care unit; Respiratory distress; Chorioamnionitis

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