Trauma in pregnancy, obstetrical outcome in a tertiary centre in the Netherlands

Abstract

Purpose: To determine obstetrical outcome and predictive value of obstetrical symptoms and diagnostic examinations on adverse outcome after maternal trauma in pregnancy.

Materials and methods: Retrospective study in a Dutch tertiary medical center, including women admitted for trauma in pregnancy between 1995 and 2005 and infants born from these pregnancies. Characteristics at trauma (type of trauma, severity) and obstetrical outcome were recorded, as well as prevalence and severity of trauma; prevalence of obstetrical symptoms and abnormal diagnostic examinations. Composite adverse obstetrical outcome was defined as fetal death, placental abruption, birth <37 weeks and/or birth weight <10th percentile. The predictive value of obstetrical symptoms or abnormal diagnostic tests on an adverse pregnancy outcome was analyzed (logistic regression analysis).

Results: Trauma admissions occurred in 10 per 1000 deliveries. Injuries were non-severe in 147/159 (92%). Obstetrical symptoms and/or abnormal diagnostic tests were present in 64/159 (40%) and 12/159 (8%) respectively. Adverse pregnancy outcome was encountered in 17/80 cases, mainly preterm births (13/80 (16%)). Severe injuries were predictive for an adverse pregnancy outcome.

Conclusions: We found a considerable rate of trauma during pregnancy. There was an increased risk for preterm birth and severity of injuries was predictive for adverse outcome.

Keywords:

• Trauma in pregnancy
• hospitalization
• maternal injuries
• obstetrical outcome

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank A.M.S. van Poelgeest for her contribution in the data collection.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Ethics approval

The study was approved on 14 February 2012 by the medical ethical committee of the VU University Medical Center (Medisch Etische Toetsingscommissie VU medisch centrum). Approval reference: NL25476.000.10, protocol number 2008/252.