INTRODUCTION: Pre-term premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is one of the 
leading causes of perinatal morbidity and mortality. This complication is 
diagnosed in 3% of pregnant women in Kazakhstan, and it is the leading cause of 
pre-term deliveries. The aim of this study was to determine the outcomes of 
pregnancies complicated by PPROM in gestation periods between 24 to 32 weeks 
among three institutions in Kazakhstan.
METHODS: This is descriptive analysis of 154 cases with PPROM observed between 
24 to 32 weeks of gestation at Perinatal Centers #2 and #3 and the National 
Research Center for Maternal and Child Health, Astana, Kazakhstan. Cases were 
selected on the basis of retrospective chart review where PPROM diagnosis 
occurred in 2013. Descriptive statistics were utilized for data analysis.
RESULTS: The most frequent complications associated with PPROM were threat of 
miscarriage (13.6% of cases) and chronic placental insufficiency (7.8%). The 
mean time between PPROM and onset of spontaneous labor was 12.1 ± 2.3 days. 
Spontaneous labor within 3 days after PPROM started in patients with an amniotic 
fluid index of 3.0 ± 0.2 cm. Complications experienced by PPROM women during 
delivery and early postpartum period included: precipitous labor (6.4%), 
weakness of labor activity (16.2%), atonic hemorrhage (1.2%), and 
chorioamnionitis (3.2%). 37.6% of newborns in this study were admitted to the 
Intensive Care Unit. Their health complications included pneumonia (7.7%), 
conjunctivitis (1.3%), omphalitis and infectious-toxic shock (3.8%), 
intraventricular hemorrhage (7.8%), and respiratory distress (10.3%).
CONCLUSION: Thus, preterm rupture of membranes is associated with preterm 
delivery and an increase of neonatal morbidity. Therefore, it is necessary to 
find ways to effectively manage PPROM, including developing new techniques to 
restore the amniotic fluid volume in women experiencing PPROM during 24 to 32 
weeks of gestation.