Abstract
Serum prolactin levels were measured in maternal and fetal sera immediately post delivery in 20 cases of premature rupture of the membranes and in 20 controls. Fetal serum prolactin levels were 781 ±265 ng/ml in cases of PRM and 737±314 ng/ml in controls. Maternal serum prolactin levels were 504±264 ng/ml in cases of PRM and 731±361 ng/ml in controls. This difference is statistically significant (t=1.81, p<0.05).
A probable role of prolactin in maintaining fetal membrane integrity and the probable effect of the difference in maternal serum prolactin concentration in the two groups on the membrans' viscoelastic properties is discussed.