Citation

Weiss HB. Australas. epidemiol. 2012; 19(2): 30.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Australasian Epidemiological Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Background/Objectives: New Zealand ranks high in car ownership and sometimes those users are pregnant women. This poses unique risks to the foetus when mothers-to-be are involved in crashes. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the risks and document for the first time the burden of foetal mortality due to maternal crashes in New Zealand. Methods: Recent age-specific crash and fertility rates are examined together for the entire New Zealand population and separately for Maori. Deaths are documented by examining foetal and neonatal death certificate narratives reported to the Ministry of Health from 1997 to 2007. Results: There were 41 foetal and neonatal deaths due to maternal trauma. Over one-half of the deaths were related to maternal motor vehicle crashes. There are as many foetal deaths related to crashes as there are infant crash deaths. Maori made up 15% of the population but 27% of the foetal deaths due to maternal injury. Population risks are driven in part, by the varying overlap of age-specific crash injury and population specific birth rates. Conclusions and Implications: Foetal death and injury due to maternal injury is a hidden but important component of child injury mortality in New Zealand and elsewhere. The problem remains hidden because of the way foetal trauma is coded in vital statistics and the lack of pregnancy status recorded in crash and injury surveillance systems. More attention needs to be directed to reporting and prevention of maternal injuries and adverse foetal outcomes.

Language: en