Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objective: Trauma in pregnancy is an important determinate of maternal/perinatal morbidity and mortality. The study purpose is to evaluate all pregnant trauma patients presenting to the state's primary trauma center to develop a better understanding of the influence of trauma on pregnancy and identify improvement areas in maternal/perinatal outcomes. Methods: This is a retrospective study of all pregnant women who presented with documented trauma and on whom we had delivery information on mother and neonate from January 2015 through December 2022. Demographic and clinical characteristics, type of trauma, trauma-related outcomes, disposition, and mode of delivery were collected. Results are reported as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and statistical significance was defined as p-value less than 0.05. Results: There were 1143 patients identified. Mechanism of injury included falls (n=479, 41.91%), motor vehicle accidents (MVAs; n=464, 40.59%), assault (n=164, 14.35%) and other (n=164, 14.35%). Among patients kept for observation, the largest percentage followed MVA (n=131, 28.2%). Delivery was directly related to trauma in 28 pregnancies (2.45%). Overall, 147 neonates required NICU admission (12.88%), 27 required transport to higher-level of care (2.37%), and 26 deliveries resulted in stillbirth/neonatal demise (2.28%). After gestational-age group adjustment at the time of trauma, MVAs were associated with higher odds of trauma-related delivery (adjOR 8.00, 95% CI 2.59-24.72) and trauma-related complications (adjOR 7.24, 95% CI 2.90-18.07) compared with falls. Assault was associated with higher odds of trauma-related complications (adjOR 4.25, 95% CI 1.28-14.18), neonatal complications (adjOR 1.62, 95% CI 1.03-2.56), and NICU admission (adjOR 1.75, 95% CI 1.05-2.90) compared to falls. Conclusions: Study results are consistent with published literature, demonstrating that a small subset will develop significant maternal/perinatal complications. This study supports the assumption that while most patients may be safely managed expectantly, those with higher-energy mechanisms may warrant increased clinical vigilance and potentially extended monitoring.
DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s642852
Institution: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,836
OpenAlex ID: W7223131455