FREE NEJM E-TOC    HOME   |   SUBSCRIBE   |   CURRENT ISSUE   |   PAST ISSUES   |   COLLECTIONS   |   Search Term  Advanced Search

Sign in | Get NEJM's E-Mail Table of Contents — Free | Subscribe

Previous Volume 338:663-670 March 5, 1998 Number 10 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

	Full Text PDF Purchase this article Add to Personal Archive Add to Citation Manager Notify a Friend E-mail When Cited PubMed Citation

The membranes surrounding the amniotic cavity are composed of the amnion and the chorion, which are closely adherent layers consisting of several cell types, including epithelial cells, mesenchymal cells, and trophoblast cells, embedded in a collagenous matrix. They retain amniotic fluid, secrete substances both into the amniotic fluid and toward the uterus, and guard the fetus against infection ascending the reproductive tract. The membranes normally rupture during labor. Premature rupture of the fetal membranes is defined as rupture of the membranes before the onset of labor.¹ Premature rupture of the membranes occurring before 37 weeks' gestation is usually referred to . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Structure of the Fetal Membranes

Natural History and Management of Fetal-Membrane Rupture

Mechanisms of Fetal-Membrane Rupture Preceding and during Labor

Changes in Collagen Content, Structure, and Catabolism

Connective-Tissue Disorders and Nutritional Deficiencies as Risk Factors

Increased Collagen Degradation

Clinical Factors Associated with Collagen Degradation and Premature Rupture of the Membranes

Infection

Hormones

Programmed Cell Death

Membrane Stretch and Premature Rupture of the Membranes

Predicting Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes

Prevention of Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes

Conclusions

Source Information

From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health and the Division of Maternal–Fetal Medicine, 2000 Courtyard Bldg., University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, 3400 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283, where reprint requests should be addressed to Dr. Parry.

References

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Joyce, S. J., Cook, A., Newnham, J., Brenters, M., Ferguson, C., Weinstein, P. (2008). Water Disinfection By-Products and Prelabor Rupture of Membranes. Am J Epidemiol 168: 514-521 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Wang, H., Ogawa, M., Wood, J. R., Bartolomei, M. S., Sammel, M. D., Kusanovic, J. P., Walsh, S. W., Romero, R., Strauss, J. F. III (2008). Genetic and epigenetic mechanisms combine to control MMP1 expression and its association with preterm premature rupture of membranes. Hum Mol Genet 17: 1087-1096 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Valdez-Velazquez, L. L, Quintero-Ramos, A., Perez, S. A, Mendoza-Carrera, F., Montoya-Fuentes, H., Rivas, F. Jr, Olivares, N., Celis, A., Vazquez, O. F, Rivas, F. (2007). Genetic polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system in preterm delivery and premature rupture of membranes. Journal of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System 8: 160-168 [Abstract]  
• Bryant-Greenwood, G. D., Kern, A., Yamamoto, S. Y., Sadowsky, D. W., Novy, M. J. (2007). Relaxin and the Human Fetal Membranes. Reproductive Sciences 14: 42-45 [Abstract]  
• Cockle, J. V., Gopichandran, N., Walker, J. J., Levene, M. I., Orsi, N. M. (2007). Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Tissue Inhibitors in Preterm Perinatal Complications. Reproductive Sciences 14: 629-645 [Abstract]  
• Garcia-Lopez, G., Vadillo-Ortega, F., Merchant-Larios, H., Maida-Claros, R., Osorio, M., Soriano-Becerril, D., Flores-Herrera, H., Beltran-Montoya, J., Garfias-Becerra, Y., Zaga-Clavellina, V. (2007). Evidence of in vitro differential secretion of 72 and 92 kDa type IV collagenases after selective exposure to lipopolysaccharide in human fetal membranes. Mol Hum Reprod 13: 409-418 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Wang, H., Parry, S., Macones, G., Sammel, M. D., Kuivaniemi, H., Tromp, G., Argyropoulos, G., Halder, I., Shriver, M. D., Romero, R., Strauss, J. F. III (2006). From the Cover: A functional SNP in the promoter of the SERPINH1 gene increases risk of preterm premature rupture of membranes in African Americans. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 103: 13463-13467 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Drenthen, W, Pieper, P G, Roos-Hesselink, J W, van Lottum, W A, Voors, A A, Mulder, B J M, van Dijk, A P J, Vliegen, H W, Sollie, K M, Moons, P, Ebels, T, van Veldhuisen, D J, for the ZAHARA Investigators, (2006). Pregnancy and delivery in women after Fontan palliation. Heart 92: 1290-1294 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Zaga-Clavellina, V., Merchant-Larios, H., Garcia-Lopez, G., Maida-Claros, R., Vadillo-Oretega, F. (2006). Differential Secretion of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and -9 After Selective Infection With Group B Streptococci in Human Fetal Membranes. Reproductive Sciences 13: 271-279 [Abstract]  
• Barros, F. C., Velez, M. d. P. (2006). Temporal trends of preterm birth subtypes and neonatal outcomes.. Obstet Gynecol 107: 1035-1041 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Khwad, M. E., Pandey, V., Stetzer, B., Mercer, B. M., Kumar, D., Moore, R. M., Fox, J., Redline, R. W., Mansour, J. M., Moore, J. J. (2006). Fetal Membranes From Term VAginal Deliveries Have a Zone of Weakness Exhibiting Characteristics of Apoptosis and Remodeling. Reproductive Sciences 13: 191-195 [Abstract]  
• Johns, J., Jauniaux, E. (2006). Threatened miscarriage as a predictor of obstetric outcome.. Obstet Gynecol 107: 845-850 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Drenthen, W., Pieper, P. G., Ploeg, M., Voors, A. A., Roos-Hesselink, J. W., Mulder, B. J.M., Vliegen, H. W., Sollie, K. M., Ebels, T., van Veldhuisen, D. J., on behalf of the ZAHARA investigators, (2005). Risk of complications during pregnancy after Senning or Mustard (atrial) repair of complete transposition of the great arteries. Eur Heart J 26: 2588-2595 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Casanueva, E., Ripoll, C., Tolentino, M., Morales, R. M., Pfeffer, F., Vilchis, P., Vadillo-Ortega, F. (2005). Vitamin C supplementation to prevent premature rupture of the chorioamniotic membranes: a randomized trial. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 81: 859-863 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• El Khwad, M., Stetzer, B., Moore, R.M., Kumar, D., Mercer, B., Arikat, S., Redline, R.W., Mansour, J.M., Moore, J.J. (2005). Term Human Fetal Membranes Have a Weak Zone Overlying the Lower Uterine Pole and Cervix Before Onset of Labor. Biol. Reprod. 72: 720-726 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Stuart, E. L., Evans, G. S., Lin, Y. S., Powers, H. J. (2005). Reduced Collagen and Ascorbic Acid Concentrations and Increased Proteolytic Susceptibility with Prelabor Fetal Membrane Rupture in Women. Biol. Reprod. 72: 230-235 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Wang, H., Parry, S., Macones, G., Sammel, M. D., Ferrand, P. E., Kuivaniemi, H., Tromp, G., Halder, I., Shriver, M. D., Romero, R., Strauss, J. F. III (2004). Functionally significant SNP MMP8 promoter haplotypes and preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Hum Mol Genet 13: 2659-2669 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Kenyon, S., Boulvain, M., Neilson, J. (2004). Antibiotics for Preterm Rupture of the Membranes: A Systematic Review. Obstet Gynecol 104: 1051-1057 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Menon, R., Fortunato, S. J. (2004). The Role of Matrix Degrading Enzymes and Apoptosis in Repture of Membranes. Reproductive Sciences 11: 427-437 [Abstract]  
• Hernandez-Guerrero, C., Monzon-Bordonaba, F., Jimenez-Zamudio, L., Ahued-Ahued, R., Arechavaleta-Velasco, F., Strauss, J.F. III, Vadillo-Ortega, F. (2003). In-vitro secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by human amniochorion carrying hyper-responsive gene polymorphisms of tumour necrosis factor-{alpha} and interleukin-1{beta}. Mol Hum Reprod 9: 625-629 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Curry, T. E. Jr., Osteen, K. G. (2003). The Matrix Metalloproteinase System: Changes, Regulation, and Impact throughout the Ovarian and Uterine Reproductive Cycle. Endocr. Rev. 24: 428-465 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Ferguson, S. E., Smith, G. N., Salenieks, M. E., Windrim, R., Walker, M. C. (2002). Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes: Nutritional and Socioeconomic Factors. Obstet Gynecol 100: 1250-1256 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Arechavaleta-Velasco, F., Ogando, D., Parry, S., Vadillo-Ortega, F. (2002). Production of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Human Amnion Occurs Through an Autocrine and Paracrine Proinflammatory Cytokine-Dependent System. Biol. Reprod. 67: 1952-1958 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Ferrand, P. E., Fujimoto, T., Chennathukuzhi, V., Parry, S., Macones, G. A., Sammel, M., Kuivaniemi, H., Romero, R., Strauss, J. F. III (2002). The CARD15 2936insC mutation and TLR4 896 A>G polymorphism in African Americans and risk of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Mol Hum Reprod 8: 1031-1034 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Moore, R. M., Lundgren, D. W., Silver, R. J., Moore, J. J. (2002). Lactosylceramide-Induced Apoptosis in Primary Amnion Cells and Amnion-Derived WISH Cells. Reproductive Sciences 9: 282-289 [Abstract]  
• Romero, R., Kuivaniemi, H., Tromp, G. (2002). Functional Genomics and Proteomics in Term and Preterm Parturition. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 87: 2431-2434 [Full Text]  
• Ferrand, P. E., Parry, S., Sammel, M., Macones, G. A., Kuivaniemi, H., Romero, R., Strauss, J. F. III (2002). A polymorphism in the matrix metalloproteinase-9 promoter is associated with increased risk of preterm premature rupture of membranes in African Americans. Mol Hum Reprod 8: 494-501 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Arechavaleta-Velasco, F., Mayon-Gonzalez, J., Gonzalez-Jimenez, M., Hernandez-Guerrero, C., Vadillo-Ortega, F. (2002). Association of Type II Apoptosis and 92-kDa Type IV Collagenase Expression in Human Amniochorion in Prematurely Ruptured Membranes With Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-1 Expression. Reproductive Sciences 9: 60-67 [Abstract]  
• Xu, P., Alfaidy, N., Challis, J. R. G. (2002). Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in Human Placenta and Fetal Membranes in Relation to Preterm and Term Labor. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 87: 1353-1361 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Fujimoto, T., Parry, S., Urbanek, M., Sammel, M., Macones, G., Kuivaniemi, H., Romero, R., Strauss, J. F. III (2002). A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in the Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) Promoter Influences Amnion Cell MMP-1 Expression and Risk for Preterm Premature Rupture of the Fetal Membranes. J. Biol. Chem. 277: 6296-6302 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Kumagai, K., Otsuki, Y., Ito, Y., Shibata, M-A., Abe, H., Ueki, M. (2001). Apoptosis in the normal human amnion at term, independent of Bcl-2 regulation and onset of labour. Mol Hum Reprod 7: 681-689 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• McParland, P.C., Bell, S.C., Pringle, J.H., Taylor, D.J. (2001). Regional and cellular localization of osteonectin/SPARC expression in connective tissue and cytotrophoblastic layers of human fetal membranes at term. Mol Hum Reprod 7: 463-474 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Bryant-Greenwood, G. D., Millar, L. K. (2000). Human Fetal Membranes: Their Preterm Premature Rupture. Biol. Reprod. 63: 1575b-1579 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• McLaren, J., Taylor, D.J., Bell, S.C. (2000). Prostaglandin E2-dependent production of latent matrix metalloproteinase-9 in cultures of human fetal membranes. Mol Hum Reprod 6: 1033-1040 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• UCHIDE, K., UENO, H., INOUE, M., SAKAI, A., FUJIMOTO, N., OKADA, Y. (2000). Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 and Tensile Strength of Fetal Membranes in Uncomplicated Labor. Obstet Gynecol 95: 851-855 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Devlieger, R., A.Deprest, J., Gratacos, E., Pijnenborg, R., Leask, R., C.Riley, S. (2000). Matrix metalloproteinases -2 and -9 and their endogenous tissue inhibitors in fetal membrane repair following fetoscopy in a rabbit model. Mol Hum Reprod 6: 479-485 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Bell, S.C., Pringle, J.H., Taylor, D.J., Malak, T.M. (1999). Alternatively spliced tenascin-C mRNA isoforms in human fetal membranes. Mol Hum Reprod 5: 1066-1076 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Moore, R. M., Lundgren, D. W., Moore, J. J. (1999). Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors Decrease Apoptosis Initiated by Actinomycin D, Cycloheximide, and Staurosporine in Amnion-Derived WISH Cells. Reproductive Sciences 6: 245-251 [Abstract]  
• TASHIMA, L. S., MILLAR, L. K., BRYANT-GREENWOOD, G. D. (1999). Genes Upregulated in Human Fetal Membranes by Infection or Labor. Obstet Gynecol 94: 441-449 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Bogic, L.V., Ohira, R.H., Yamamoto, S.Y., Okazaki, K.J., Millar, K., Bryant-Greenwood, G.D. (1999). Tissue Plasminogen Activator and Its Receptor in the Human Amnion, Chorion, and Decidua at Preterm and Term. Biol. Reprod. 60: 1006-1012 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Lei, H., Kalluri, R., Furth, E. E., Baker, A. H., Strauss III, J. F. (1999). Rat Amnion Type IV Collagen Composition and Metabolism: Implications for Membrane Breakdown. Biol. Reprod. 60: 176-182 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Lei, H., Furth, E. E., Kalluri, R., Wakenell, P., Kallen, C. B., Jeffrey, J. J., Leboy, P. S., Strauss III, J. F. (1999). Induction of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Collagenolysis in Chick Embryonic Membranes before Hatching. Biol. Reprod. 60: 183-189 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Guller, S. (1998). Apoptosis and Fas Expression in Human Fetal Membranes--Authors' Responsej. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 83: 3761-3762 [Full Text]