ABSTRACT
Premature birth is one of the leading causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality, and premature rupture of the membranes is a major cause of prematurity. An analysis of the incidence of spontaneous rupture of the membranes prior to the onset of labour shows a very strong correlation with low prenatal ascorbic acid levels. R. Artal et al. have observed that prematurely and non-prematurely ruptured membranes differ in the thickness of the membranes near the rupture site and in Young's modulus of elasticity measured near the placenta. Studying guinea pigs on a diet of oats and water, A. Ingier found that vitamin C deficiency in the stages of pregnancy invariably resulted in premature birth or in dead fetuses. A. W. Fleming and H. N. Sanford observed that the blood vitamin C levels of premature infants were mostly lower than the expected average for normal infants.
