REMARKS Q The use of prophylactic antibiotics should be included as part of standard care for the woman once preterm prelabour rupture of the membranes is confirmed. Q The GDG noted the paucity of evidence on benefits with regards to the duration of membranes rupture, due to the lack of such information from trials included in the review. However, the group placed its emphasis on the overall balance favouring benefits over harms of using antenatal corticosteroid therapy in terms of reducing severe adverse neonatal outcomes without evidence of increased risk of infection to the mother or the baby, and with the consideration that a substantial proportion of women at risk of preterm birth would present with ruptured membranes. Q The GDG cautioned against the use of antenatal corticosteroid therapy for women with prolonged rupture of the membranes and with confirmed or suspected bacterial infection. Q The GDG reaffirms that all pre-conditions outlined for antenatal corticosteroid therapy in Recommendation 1.0 apply.

Implementation considerations outlined in Table 2.