What is the most significant consequence of term PROM?

The most significant consequence of term premature rupture of membranes (PROM) is intrauterine infection, also known as chorioamnionitis. When the membranes rupture before the onset of labor, there is an increased risk of bacteria ascending from the vagina into the uterus, leading to an infection. This can cause complications for both the mother and the baby, including fever, increased heart rate, and significant morbidity if untreated.

The risk of infection escalates the longer the time from rupture to delivery, particularly after 18 to 24 hours, making it critical to monitor and sometimes intervene to prevent or treat the infection. Additionally, intrauterine infection can lead to adverse outcomes such as sepsis in the newborn, which can further exacerbate morbidity and mortality.

Other options, while they may be associated with PROM, do not carry the same level of immediate risk to maternal and fetal health as intrauterine infection does. For example, while preterm labor can occur, it is not as significant a consequence in the context of term PROM, where labor can be induced if needed. Similarly, placenta previa is unrelated to the rupture of membranes in this context, and umbilical cord compression, while a potential risk, is more of a transient complication rather than a