Microbial Pattern in Amniotic Fluid from Women with
\nPremature Rupture of Membranes and Meconium-Stained Fluid

Intra-amniotic infection (IAI), also known as chorioamnionitis, is a major cause
\nof maternal and neonatal infection that occurs during pregnancy, labor and delivery, or
\nin the postpartum period. Conditions such as meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF)
\nand premature rupture of membranes (PROMs) are recognized risk factors for amniotic
\nfluid infection. This study identifies the microbial patterns in the amniotic fluid of women
\nwith PROMs and MSAF to determine the presence and types of bacterial growth. It also
\nidentifies trends in antibiotic use through descriptive statistics. Conducted as a descriptive
\nobservational study with prospective data collection, this research included maternal
\npatients with PROMs lasting more than 12 h and those with MSAF, along with their infants.
\nOf 30 cultured amniotic fluid samples, bacterial growth was observed in 13 cases, with
\nEscherichia coli being the most prevalent (40%). Infants born with PROMs accompanied by
\nMSAF were 5.5 days, significantly longer than those born with PROMs alone (3.19 days)
\nor MSAF alone (3.91 days), with a significant difference between groups (p = 0.003). In
\naddition, Escherichia coli isolates in this study are resistant to ceftriaxone, a third-generation
\ncephalosporin antibiotic. Understanding these microbial patterns is critical for guiding
\nclinical decisions, particularly in managing the risk of infection in pregnant women with
\nPROMs and MSAF and ensuring better outcomes for both mothers and newborns.