Previable premature rupture of membranes with a Down syndrome foetus

There is a scarcity of literature about Previable Premature Rupture of Membranes in Down Syndrome (DS) Pregnancies. The present report concerns the difficulty in prenatal counselling in a Previable Premature Rupture of Membranes in a DS Pregnancy. The outcome appears improved in our case.

We report the case of a DS Pregnancy with severe oligohydramnios since the 17th week of gestational age due to Previable Premature Rupture of Membranes. She delivered at the gestational age of 33 weeks and 3 days a healthy DS baby without signs or symptoms of neonatal pulmonary hypoplasia, skeletal abnormalities or infectious morbidity.

In Previable Premature Rupture of Membranes, foetal death is common. When a viable gestational age is reached, respiratory complications and other morbidities such as sepsis are frequent. Newborns with DS have an increased risk of respiratory tract infections, what added to the risk of congenital diseases, made us believe in a poor prognosis. More reports are needed in order to provide a better prenatal counselling.