Do Antibiotics for PPROM and PTL Improve Infant Outcomes?

Preterm premature (prior to labor) rupture of the membranes (PPROM) and spontaneous (with intact membranes) preterm labor (PTL) are the most common antecedents of preterm birth -- the primary cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in the U.S. Limited data suggest that antibiotic treatment might improve neonatal outcomes in women with PPROM or PTL. To further investigate this possibility, these authors conducted separate, international, double-blind studies of PPROM and PTL: Between 1994 and 2000, 4809 women with PPROM and 6241 with PTL were recruited from 161 clinical centers. Participants were randomized to receive oral dosages of erythromycin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, both antibiotics, or matching placebo for 10 days or until deliv…