Which of the following is an associated 'other factor' with high risk infants?

• A. Premature rupture of membranes
• B. Post-term delivery after 43 weeks
• C. Normal fetal presentation
• D. Adequate prenatal care

Answer: (A)

Premature rupture of membranes increases the baby’s risk by raising the chances of preterm birth and ascending infection. When the membranes break before labor, especially before 37 weeks, the fetus is more likely to be delivered early and exposed to bacteria from the birth canal. Prematurity disrupts lung development and surfactant production, making respiratory distress syndrome more likely, and infection can lead to sepsis and other complications that classify the infant as high risk. Normal fetal presentation and adequate prenatal care are not risk factors in the same way, and while post-term delivery carries its own issues, the combination of prematurity and infection from PROM is the clearest factor linked to high-risk infants in this context.