Alissa Carver, Marlo Cochran, Gayle Olson, Mary Munn, Gary Hankins University of Texas Medical Branch, Ob/Gyn Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Galveston, TX, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Obsterics & Gynecology, Galveston, TX OBJECTIVE: Exposure to natural disasters may affect pregnancy outcomes. The objective of this study was to compare maternal morbidity in pregnancies prior to and following Hurricane Ike in September of 2008. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study examining triage visits to our institution over an 18-month period after Hurricane Ike (1/2009-6/2010) in comparison to pre-hurricane controls (3/2007-9/ 2008). 10/2008-12/2008 was excluded due to interruption of hospital services from storm damage. Antepartum complications were evaluated as follows: chronic hypertension (CHTN), pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), diabetes (DM), vaginal bleeding (VB), pyelonephritis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, hyperemesis gravidarum/nausea and vomiting (HEG/NV), oligohydramnios, preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), threatened preterm labor (PTL), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), decreased fetal movement (Dec FM), and abnormal fetal testing. Comparison of demographic information, individual and composite maternal morbidity were calculated using chi-squared and t-test analyses. RESULTS: Out of 21,202 triage visits, 11,280 (53%) occurred prior to the storm and 9,922 (47%) after. Only 8 % of patients resided on Galveston Island while the remainder resided on the Texas mainland where any impact from this natural disaster would be expected to be minimal. Composite maternal morbidity increased significantly following Hurricane Ike (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.44-1.63, p 0.0001). When examined separately, this shift remained true for the following variables: CHTN, DM, pyelonephritis, oligohydramnios, PPROM, Dec FM, and abnormal fetal testing. Episodes of pancreatitis fell significantly (Table 1). Despite a small proportion of patients originating from Galveston proper, this effect was seen in our entire patient population. CONCLUSION: Evidence suggests an overall increase in maternal complications based upon demand for care in a triage setting following Hurricane Ike. Clinicians should be prepared for increased morbidity and associated obstetric care requirements in pregnant women exposed to natural disasters.