Characteristics of pregnant women in motor vehicle crashes

Abstract

Objectives: Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of hospitalized trauma during pregnancy. Maternal injury puts the fetus at great risk, yet little is known about the incidence, risks, and characteristics of pregnant women in crashes. Setting and methods: Police reported crashes were analyzed from the National Automotive Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System. Since 1995, this system recorded pregnancy/trimester status. Pregnant and non-pregnant women 15-39 years of age were compared by age, driver status, seat belt use, and treatment. Belt use and seating position were examined by trimester. Results: There were 427 pregnant occupants identified (weighted n=32 810, 2.6%, SE 12 585, rate 13/1000 person years). The mean age was 24.9 compared with 24.8 years (pregnant v non-pregnant). Cases were distributed by trimester as follows: first 29.8%, second 36.4%, and third 33.8%. Pregnant women were drivers 70% of the time compared with 71% for non-pregnant women. No belt use was 14% compared with 13% (pregnant v non-pregnant). Mean injury severity was lower for pregnant women but they were more likely to transported or hospitalized. Improper belt use decreased after the first trimester and there was little change in driver proportion by trimester. Third trimester hospitalization rates increased. Conclusions: Pregnant occupants in crashes have similar profiles of restraint use, driver status, and seat position but different treatment indicators compared to non-pregnant occupants. Trimester status has relatively little impact on crash risk, seating position or restraint use. Undercounting of pregnant cases was possible, even so, 1% of all births were reported to be involved in utero in crashes. Little research has focused on developmental outcomes to infants and children previously involved in exposure to these crashes.

Comparison of pregnant and non-pregnant occupant crash and injury characteristics based on national crash data

“…While most of these crashes lead to no injury, it can be estimated that 160 pregnant women are killed in motor vehicle crashes and an additional 600-2600 fetuses are killed when the mother survives (Duma, 2011,b;Klinich et al, 1999a,b;Pearlman, 1997;Weiss, 1999). Since at least the 1980's, automobile crashes have been the largest cause of injury death for pregnant females and the leading cause of traumatic fetal injury mortality in the United States (Attico et al, 1986;Pearlman et al, 1990;Weiss and Strotmeyer, 2002). While the number of child deaths in motor vehicle crashes is decreasing, there is no evidence that adverse fetal outcome from motor vehicle crashes is declining with recent advancements in vehicle crashworthiness and restraint performance (Arbogast et al, 2009;Duma, 2011).…”

Dynamic material properties of the pregnant human uterus

“…Automobile crashes are the largest single cause of death for pregnant females (Attico et al, 1986) and are the leading cause of traumatic fetal injury mortality in the United States (US) (Weiss and Strotmeyer, 2002). Further, approximately 160 pregnant women are killed in motor vehicle crashes in the US each year, while nearly 1,000 fetuses are killed when the mother survives (Duma, 2010).…”

Dynamic tensile properties of human placenta

“…Automobile crashes are the largest cause of injury death for pregnant females and the leading cause of traumatic fetal injury mortality in the United States (US) (Attico et al, 1986;Weiss and Strotmeyer, 2002). An average estimate from several sources indicates each year in the US, approximately 160 pregnant women are killed in motor vehicle crashes and an additional 600 to 2600 fetuses are killed when the mother survives (Klinich et al, 1999a b;Pearlman, 1997;Weiss, 2001).…”