title: Fetal death from abruptio placentae associated with incorrect use of a seatbelt.
abstract: A female driver, 24 weeks pregnant, was wearing a three-point seatbelt in the manner usual for nonpregnant women, when her automobile collided head-on with another vehicle. A cardiotocographic examination after the accident revealed the fetus to be alive. Five days after the accident, however, a cardiotocographic examination showed fetal death. At that time, a transverse ecchymotic band on the lower abdominal wall that had not been observed at the first examination was noticed. Eight days after the accident, the mother delivered a macerated female fetus. At autopsy, the baby showed no abnormality, but there was a hematoma on the placental surface toward the uterus. These results suggest that the fetus died of abruptio placentae associated with incorrect placement of the lap belt.
authors.affiliation: Department of Legal Medicine, Gifu University School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bunai
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nagai
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ohya
mesh_terms: D000037:Abruptio Placentae / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D001344:Autopsy; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating