Medical College of Wisconsin
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Barometric Pressure Drops and Premature Rupture of Membranes. WMJ 2025;124(5):421-424

Date

01/07/2026

Pubmed ID

41499609

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-105026930566 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Many patients and health care providers believe that barometric pressure drops increase the incidence of premature rupture of membranes (PROM). To test this, we studied high risk women living near a weather station.

METHODS: This cohort chart review study investigated 189 PROMs, diagnosed between 24 and 42 weeks gestation, at Wheaton Franciscan-St Joseph Campus, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data from the 24 hours preceding each PROM occurrence were analyzed. The sample provided 91% power to detect a two-fold increase in the PROM rate.

RESULTS: The PROM rate, 9.5%, within the 24 hours following a NOAA-defined substantial pressure drop, was similar to that predicted using the percentage of the total study period time within 24 hours after a substantial pressure drop, 10.8%, (P= .64). The findings for within 3, 6, and 12 hours after a substantial pressure drop were similar.

CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of PROM does not increase following substantial atmospheric pressure drops.

Author List

Klatt TE, South CD, Szabo AD

Authors

Timothy E. Klatt MD Professor in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Aniko Szabo PhD Professor in the Data Science Institute department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Atmospheric Pressure
Female
Humans
Incidence
Pregnancy
Wisconsin