Motor vehicle accidents during pregnancy: a population-based study.
This population-based cohort study of more than 600,000 Australian women describes the incidence of motor vehicle accidents (MVA) during pregnancy and the immediate and subsequent pregnancy outcomes. In this study, 3.5 women per 1000 maternities were admitted to hospital following an MVA. Immediate delivery was uncommon: 0.4% at <20 weeks of gestation and 3.5% at ≥ 20 weeks of gestation. Outcomes for those giving birth immediately were poor, with increased risk of antepartum haemorrhage, preterm birth, caesarean section and perinatal death. In contrast, women who remained undelivered following an MVA (96%) had similar pregnancy outcomes to women not involved in MVAs, and can be reassured.
Clinical and Population Perinatal Health Research, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia. jviviantaylor@hotmail.com
J
J
Vivian-Taylor
C L
CL
Roberts
J S
JS
Chen
J B
JB
Ford
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008499:Medical Records; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology; D049188:Prenatal Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult