Abstract
To examine the factors that influence substantial injuries for pregnant women and negative fetal outcomes in motor vehicle collisions (MVCs), a retrospective analysis using the National Automotive Sampling System/Crashworthiness Data System was performed in Shiga University of Medical Science. We analyzed data from 736 pregnant women who, between 2001 and 2015, had injuries that were an abbreviated injury scale (AIS) score of one or more. The mean age was 25.9 ± 6.4 years and the mean gestational age was 26.2 ± 8.2 weeks. Additionally, 568 pregnant women had mild injuries and 168 had moderate to severe injuries. Logistic regression analysis revealed that seatbelt use (odds ratio (OR), 0.30), airbag deployment (OR, 2.00), and changes in velocity (21–40 km/h: OR, 3.03; 41–60 km/h: OR, 13.47; ≥61 km/h: OR, 44.56) were identified as independent predictors of having a moderate to severe injury. The positive and negative outcome groups included 231 and 12 pregnant women, respectively. Injury severity in pregnant women was identified as an independent predictor of a negative outcome (OR, 2.79). Avoiding moderate to severe maternal injuries is a high priority for saving the fetus, and education on appropriate seatbelt use and limiting vehicle speed for pregnant women is required.
Highlights
Worldwide, the number of motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) has been increasing continuously, with 1.35 million associated fatalities in 2016 [1]
Reliable statistics on fetal loss due to MVCs are not available because maternal involvement in crashes has not been consistently recorded on the fetal death certificate, and it has been estimated that the number of fetal losses may be greater than the number of infant deaths due to MVCs [7]
We found that the maximum abbreviated injury severity (MAIS) score for a pregnant woman was an independent predictor of a negative fetal outcome
Summary
The number of motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) has been increasing continuously, with 1.35 million associated fatalities in 2016 [1]. Greater efforts by all countries are recommended to decrease MVC fatalities. A recent systematic review of trauma in pregnant women showed that a MVC is the most common and the most life-threatening mechanism of injury [2]. In Japan, the data in this area are unknown because of the lack of nationwide statistics, 2.9% of pregnant women were involved in MVCs [6]. Reliable statistics on fetal loss due to MVCs are not available because maternal involvement in crashes has not been consistently recorded on the fetal death certificate, and it has been estimated that the number of fetal losses may be greater than the number of infant deaths due to MVCs [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
