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Premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) in otherwise uncomplicated full-term single pregnancies was studied in a prospective randomized study. Ninety-three women were randomized to either induction with oxytocin infusion (n = 43) or expectant management (n = 50). Twenty-four and 26 respectively were nulliparas. In the induction group, all but 3 were delivered within 24 h from PROM. There were 3 vacuum extractions (VE), all in nulliparous women. No cesarean section (CS) was performed. In the expectancy group, 23 of 50 were delivered within 24 h. There were 5 VE and 3 CS in nulliparas and 1 VE and 1 CS in paras. The instrumental actions were mainly due to arrest of 1 st or 2nd stage labor. The only clinical infections occurred in nulliparas in the expectancy group. Our conclusion is that parous women with PROM can be treated by either induction or expectancy while in nulliparas, induction after some hours’ expectation seems preferable.

Pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein (SP1) levels in uncomplicated single pregnancies were measured by radioimmunoassay from the time of ovulation until the 8th week of pregnancy in 129 blood samples from 78 women. SP1 was detectable in all samples examined from 34 days after the last menstrual period (LMP), and thereafter the SP1 level increased rapidly with time and 38 to 40 days after LMP the geometric mean SP1 concentration was 90 micrograms/l. From pregnancy weeks 8 to 41, SP1 levels were measured by nephelometry in 1255 blood samples from 1255 women. A 95% reference range was established using logarithmic transformation. There was a steady increase in the SP1 concentration until the last month of pregnancy, in which a tendency to level off was seen, the geometric mean levels ranging from 149 to 170 mg/l. The day-to-day variation was studied during 5 consecutive days in 10 women. No significant variation was found. The diurnal variation was studied in blood samples taken every 4th hour during a 24-hour period form 10 women. A significant decrease was found at midnight and at 4 a.m. The elimination rate of SP1 from serum was studied in 10 women following labor. Elimination was non-linear and the time taken for SP1 to decrease to 50% ranged from 24 to 50 hours. No correlation was found between the concentration of SP1 and parity, maternal age, or the sex of the infant. The SP1 concentration was significantly lower in heavier women (greater than 70 kg) than in lighter women (less than or equal to 70 kg).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)