The relationship between the time from rupture of the membranes to delivery and the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome in premature newborns

The records of 520 deliveries of low birth weight infants were reviewed. A significantly lower incidence of respiratory distress syndrome was seen in cases where the time interval between rupture of membranes and delivery exceeded 1 h as compared to neonates delivered within 1 h after rupture of membranes. Premature infants born after complicated pregnancies had higher rates of RDS than those delivered after uncomplicated pregnancies. It is concluded that postponement of delivery of premature infants for at least a few hours after ROM can reduce the probability of the development of a RDS.