After taking informed written consent, the recruited patients will be subjected to the following:~Detailed history~Personal History: Name, age ,residence ,special habits of medical importance~Obstetric history: first day of last menstrual period for accurate estimation of gestational age and antenatal care~Past history: history of any medical disorder or surgical history with particular emphasis on prior PPROM or preterm labor~History of the present pregnancy: Medical or surgical condition to define high risk pregnancy.~Examination of the patients General examination: blood pressure, pulse, temperature~Abdominal examination:~Inspection: fundal level, scars, umbilicus.~Palpation: presence of contractions, fetal lie and presentation.~Pelvic Examination only by sterile speculum to exclude cord prolapse , bloody liquor and cervical dilatation and effacement~Non stress test to ensure reassuring fetal well being~Ultrasound examination to:-~Assess fetal viability.~Amniotic fluid index.~Determine gestational age.~Exclude major anomalies.~Placental location.~Baseline laboratory investigations:~Complete blood count (CBC).~Prothrombin time (PT).~Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).~Liver and kidney function.~The included patients were randomized using sealed opaque envelope method into one of two groups:~Group I (study group): in which 17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P) (250 mg in castor oil, 1 mL total volume, intramuscular injection weekly) will be administered.~Group II (control group): in which an identical-appearing placebo (1 mL castor oil only) will be administered.
The aim of the study is to assess the efficacy of 17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P) therapy on the latency period in pregnant women with Preterm premature rupture of membranes.