Comparison of two different antibiotic regimens for the prophylaxisis of cases with preterm premature rupture of membranes: a randomized clinical trial.

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of 1 g ampicillin prophylactic dosage whether it is as effective as the dosage of 2 g to prevent maternal and neonatal morbidity in a randomized manner.

One hundred and fourty eight singleton pregnant women with preterm premature rupture of membranes between 21 and 33 weeks of gestation were followed-up during the study period in our institution. We com-pared the efficacy of two different different dosages of ampicillin. The study population was randomized into 2 groups. In the group 1, 1 g of intravenous ampicillin was given every 6 hours. In the group 2, 2 g of intravenous ampicillin was given every 6 hours.

There was no significant difference between groups interms of fetal complications (RDS, icterus, mortality, sepsis, transient tachypnea of newborn and the pneumonia), rate of intensive care unit admission, fetal gender, fever, rate of clinical chorioamnionitis, high white blood cell count and the CRP, rate of cases < 30 weeks (p > 0.05). There was a significant differ-ence between the groups for the rate of previous preterm premature rupture of membranes history, steroid administration and the need for tocolysis (p < 0.05).

Although antibiotics seems to be innocent, several side effects have been introduced. It is reasonable to use the lowest dosages in shortest period in order to minimize these unwanted effects.