Pregnancy during Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate pregnancy during war-time deployment. A retrospective review of gynecology visits was evaluated at Camp Doha, Kuwait, from August 2003 through April 2004. Of the 1,737 visits, 77 demonstrated a positive pregnancy test. These charts were evaluated for factors that may lead to important information for future deployments. The average age of the female soldier with a positive pregnancy test in theater was 27 +/- 7 years. The primary presenting complaint was amenorrhea. Ninety-two percent had an ultrasound. Fifty-four percent of visits were active duty, followed by Reserve, National Guard, and civilian government employees. Ninety-two percent were administratively redeployed. Seventy-seven percent of the soldiers became pregnant in country. Twenty-three percent arrived in country pregnant. Given the number of pregnancies before and during deployment, current screening procedures as well as new concepts in prevention need to be addressed.