Mechanisms of Negative Fetal Outcome in Frontal Vehicle Colli-Sions Involving Unbelted Pregnant Drivers.

Arisa Takeda,Masahito Hitosugi,Yasuki Motozawa,Shinobu Hattori,Marin Takaso,Mami Nakamura

doi:10.3390/healthcare9010025

Arisa Takeda, Masahito Hitosugi + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9010025

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Abstract

To determine the cause of negative fetal outcomes and the causative mechanism in a frontal collision, we analyzed the kinematics and mechanisms of injuries using an unbelted pregnant dummy, the Maternal Anthropometric Measurement Apparatus dummy, version 2B. Sled tests were performed to recreate frontal impact situations with impact speeds of 13, 26, and 40 km/h. Overall kinematics of the dummy were examined through high-speed video imaging. Quantitative dummy responses—such as time courses of the abdominal pressure, chest deflection, neck injury criteria (Nij), and displacement of the pelvis during impact—were also measured. The maximum abdominal pressure of 103.3 kPa was obtained at an impact speed of 13 km/h. The maximum chest deflection of 38.5 mm and Nij of 0.36 were obtained at an impact speed of 26 km/h. The highest maximum chest deflection of >40.9 mm, Nij of 0.61, and forward pelvis displacement of 478 mm were obtained at an impact speed of 40 km/h. Although the kinematics and mechanism of injuries of the dummy were different for different collision speeds, we found that unbelted pregnant drivers suffer severe or fatal injuries to the fetus even in low-speed collisions.

Highlights

Road traffic injury is a major public issue worldwide
We found the cause of negative fetal outcome by analyzing the kinematics of a pregnant woman dummy
In test 1, with an impact speed of 13 km/h, the high abdominal pressure of the dummy would lead to a negative fetal outcome

Summary

Introduction

Road traffic injury is a major public issue worldwide. According to the World HealthOrganization, approximately 1.35 million people die each year as a result of road traffic collisions in 2018 [1]. Road traffic injury is a major public issue worldwide. Klinich et al reported that approximately 130,000 women in late-term pregnancy are involved in MVCs in the United States annually, and the annual estimate of abortions or stillbirths ranges from 300 to 3800 [2]. Kvarnstrand et al reported that the incidence rates of maternal and fetal deaths related to MVCs were respectively 1.4 and 3.7 per 100,000 pregnancies in Sweden [3]. These reports indicate a worldwide need to clarify the injury mechanisms of pregnant drivers and to reduce the rates of fatalities of pregnant women and their fetuses

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