Determination of the Practical Latent Phase for Term and Low-Risk Women With Premature Rupture of Membrane Publisher

Summary: A study suggests a 24-hour latent phase for PROM may reduce cesarean rates, though not statistically significant. Should we reconsider timing in labor? #Pregnancy #OBGYN

Khanjani S ; Mousavi L ; Abbasi F
Source: Advanced Biomedical Research Published:2025

Abstract

Background: To compare the outcomes of 12‑hour versus 24‑hour latent phase durations in low‑risk women with premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 213 women with PROM at ≥37 weeks of gestation, randomized into two groups: 12‑hour (n = 142) and 24‑hour (n = 71) latent phase management. Participants underwent cervical ripening followed by oxytocin induction. Primary outcomes included cesarean section rates and maternal and neonatal complications. Results: The 24‑hour latent phase group showed a clinically relevant but non‑significant 32% reduction in cesarean section rates compared to the 12‑hour group (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 0.73‑2.38, P= 0.360). No statistically significant differences were observed in maternal complications(emergency cesarean section, atony, chorioamnionitis) or neonatal outcomes (NICU admission, Apgar scores < 7) between groups (all P values > 0.05). Nulliparous women had numerically higher but statistically nonsignificant complication rates than multiparous women (all P values > 0.05). Conclusion: Extending the latent phase to 24 hours in carefully selected PROM cases may offer a clinically meaningful reduction in cesarean sections, though this finding was not statistically significant. The approach did not increase maternal or neonatal risks. Parity‑specific trends warrant further investigation © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.