Abstract: Premature rupture of membrane (PROM) often occurs in the second and third trimester. After the membrane rupture, the pathogenic microorganisms in the vagina can induce chorioamnionitis (CA) when enter the amniotic cavity via the broken membrane, resulting in serious complications such as fetal distress or neonatal infection sepsis which associated with high mortality in perinatal children. Most patients are absent of clinical symptoms in the short-term after PROM, and early warning and treatments can significantly reduce the prevalence and mortality of perinatal infants, such as the screening and treatments of type B hemolytic streptococcus in the third trimester. Recently, studies indicated that in addition to traditional laboratory predictions such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) and ultrasound measurements of fetal thymus had certain prediction value for CA. Therefore, this review summarized the markers to predict CA in early stage in women complicated with CA in recent years.

Key words: Fetal membranes, premature rupture, Chorioamnionitis, Interleukin-1beta, Matrix metalloproteinase-8, Fetal thymus