Fetal Conditions Treated

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Iatrogenic Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes

Iatrogenic preterm premature rupture of membranes (I-PPROM) is defined at breakage of the

bag of waters after a prior invasive procedure. This occurs in less than 1% of patients after
genetic amniocentesis, 1-2% of percutaneous needle/shunt procedures, 3-5% after diagnostic
fetoscopy, and in approximately 5-8% of patients after operative fetoscopy. Although the mem-
branes (sac in which the baby and amniotic fluid is enclosed) may seal spontaneously in this
setting, patients may continue to leak fluid and are at risk for pregnancy loss. The rate of spon-
taneous resealing varies depending on the etiology of the rupture of membranes.

Successful prolongation of pregnancy after I-PPROM is complicated by the fact that the inva-
sive procedure responsible for the complication is typically performed in early pregnancy. Al-
though the natural history of previable PPROM may differ between spontaneous and iatrogenic
cases, the overall perinatal mortality of previable PPROM managed expectantly is 60%. Nearly
one third of these deaths occur in the womb. Poor lung development (pulmonary hypoplasia)
occurs in 50% of cases diagnosed prior to 19 weeks.

Dr. Ruben Quintero reported in 1996 a novel treatment for I-PPROM. The 1996 report described
the first successful treatment of I-PPROM with the intraamniotic injection of platelets and cryo-
precipitate. The rationale for the technique was to allow platelets to identify the area of injury,
and then stabilize the clot with cryoprecipitate. This technique was coined “the amniopatch”.
Subsequent studies have shown an approximately two-thirds chance of sealing of membranes
after amniopatch treatment in cases of I-PPROM.

Patients are eligible for the amniopatch if they are between 16-24 weeks with documented
I-PPROM within 48 hours of an invasive procedure, who have not undergone a vaginal ultra-
sound or digital vaginal examination, not in labor or with uterine contractions, and without
clinical signs of intraamniotic infection (fever, uterine tenderness, foul smelling amniotic fluid, or
fetal tachycardia). Below is a list of the inclusion and exclusion criteria for amniopatch therapy.

Inclusion Criteria

Pregnant women between 16 and 45 years old.

Patients 16 or more weeks’ gestation who underwent amniocentesis or fetoscopy with docu-
mented iatrogenic PROM within 48 hours of procedure who have not undergone a vaginal
ultrasound or digital vaginal examination, not in labor or with uterine contractions, and without
clinical signs of intraamniotic infection (fever, uterine tenderness, foul smelling amniotic fluid, or
fetal tachycardia).

MIAMI 1611 N.W. 12th Avenue I Holtz Children’s Hospital, Suite 4070 I Miami, FL 33136
LOS ANGELES Doctor’s Tower I 1300 N. Vermont Avenue, Suite 706 I Los Angeles, CA 90027
 Iatrogenic Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes

Exclusion Criteria

• In labor or with uterine contractions.

• A vaginal ultrasound or digital vaginal examination performed after I-PPROM.
• Signs of intraamniotic infection: a) fever, b) uterine tenderness, c) foul smelling amniotic fluid, d)
fetal tachycardia (fetal heart rate greater than 160 beats per minute).
• Known unbalanced chromosomal complement.
• Cerclage.
• Previous CVS in this pregnancy.
• Uterine anomalies.
• Large uterine fibroids (>6 cm).
• Dark amniotic fluid suggesting previous bleeding.