Premature rupture of membranes refers to the breaking of the amniotic sac before the onset of labour, and preterm premature rupture refers to that occurring before term. It raises a recognized set of risks, including infection (chorioamnionitis), cord prolapse, placental abruption, and the consequences of prematurity if delivery follows, all of which require careful monitoring and management.
Allegations in this area commonly concern failure to diagnose rupture, failure to monitor for and recognize developing infection, inadequate management of the timing of delivery against the competing risks of prematurity and infection, and failure to administer indicated treatment. The standard of care is established through obstetric, maternal-fetal medicine, and nursing expert evidence, calibrated to gestational age and the clinical picture, and causation turns on what difference appropriate management would have made to the maternal or neonatal outcome.
Posts tagged Premature Rupture of Membranes analyze Ontario and other Canadian decisions involving the monitoring and management of ruptured membranes and the resulting maternal and neonatal harm.
Ontario court finds emergency physician negligent for failing to refer 17-week pregnant patient with pPROM to obstetrician, leading to septic shock and amputations.
Ontario court denies defendant doctors’ motion for in-home security camera recordings in catastrophic injury malpractice action. Privacy prevails over relevance.
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