The study also found that trimester status has only minor bearing on the risk of being injured in a crash; pregnant women involved in a crash have similar characteristics as non-pregnant women regarding seatbelt use and seat position; and that pregnant women involved in crashes are more likely to be transported to the hospital for less serious injuries.
The researchers obtained their data from the National Center for Statistics and Analysis of the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. Using figures from police-reported crashes, the researchers found that on average, almost 33,000 pregnant women were involved in a car crash every year between 1995 and 1999.
"These results clearly demonstrate that more research needs to be done in order to protect both pregnant women and their fetuses," said Harold B. Weiss, M.P.H., Ph.D., associate director of CIRCL, assistant professor of neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and lead author of this study.
"Furthermore, little research has focused on longer-term developmental outcomes of infants and children who had previously been involved in car crashes while in the womb."
Pregnant and non-pregnant women between the ages of 15 to 39 were compared by age, whether or not they were driving at the time of the accident, seat-belt use and treatment received after the crash. Belt use and seating position were examined according to the woman's trimester.
The highest rate of car crashes occurred among younger women, those between the ages of 20 to 29, who are in their peak childbearing years.
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Contact: Maureen McGaffin
412-647-3555
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
15-Sep-2002