Frequency of Neonatal Respiratory Distress among Newborns of Mothers with Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes in Tertiary Care Hospital

Respiratory distress leads to neonatal morbidity and mortality. The premature rupture of membranes before labor at less than 37 weeks. Objectives: To determine the frequency of neonatal respiratory distress in newborns delivered with preterm premature rupture of membranes. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in the Gynecology unit at Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad from 1-4-2018 to 1-9-2018. Sample size 244 was calculated using WHO software by non-probability consecutive sampling using a convenience sampling technique. Pregnant women with singleton pregnancy, gestation 34-36 weeks, parity 0-4 with preterm rupture of membranes were included. After birth, an examination of the newborn for features of respiratory distress was done by a neonatologist. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 22.0. Mean ± SD was presented for quantitative variables and frequency percentage was computed for qualitative variables like respiratory distress. Results: The mean age was 28.733 ± 2.71, the mean gestational age was 34.750 ± 0.65 and the mean parity was 1.028 ± 1.11. Respiratory distress was observed in 40.2% of newborns. Stratification of Respiratory Distress concerning maternal age, parity, and gestation done. This was 87.9 % in newborns of women aged 18-27 and 25.3% in women aged 28-35 years. 43% of newborns developed respiratory distress at gestation less than 35 weeks and 20% at gestation more than 35 weeks. Conclusions: It was concluded that the frequency of neonatal respiratory depression was 40% in newborns with premature rupture of membranes. It was more common in younger ages and at less than 35 weeks of gestation.