Citation

Poole GV, Martin JN, Perry KG, Griswold JA, Lambert CJ, Rhodes RS. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 1996; 174(6): 1873-7; discussion 1877-8.

Affiliation

Department of Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, 39216-4505, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8678153

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine what role interpersonal violence as intentional injury plays in the pregnant trauma victim. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective review of medical records. RESULTS: During a 9-year period in a single university medical and trauma center, 203 pregnant women were treated for a physically traumatic event. Sixty-four women (31.5%) were victims of intentional injury, in most cases by the husband or boyfriend. Although the mean Injury Severity Score was higher in women with fetal death than in women with successful pregnancy outcomes (7.25 vs 1.74, respectively; p < 0.01), 5 of the 8 women with fetal losses incurred these despite an apparent absence of physical injury (maternal Injury Severity Score = 0). CONCLUSIONS: Interpersonal violence during pregnancy is a frequent and increasingly common cause of maternal injury. The inconsistent relationship between Injury Severity Score and serious fetal injury or death is underscored by the loss of 5 fetuses despite an Injury Severity Score of 0.The role of interpersonal violence as intentional injury in the pregnant trauma victim was investigated. Data were obtained from the medical records. Results showed that during the 9-year study interval, 203 pregnant women were admitted after a traumatic event. About 64 women (31.5%) in the study population were victims of intentional injury, particularly one inflicted by a husband or boyfriend. The maternal Injury Severity Score (ISS) averaged 7.25 in women with fetal loss versus a mean maternal ISS of 1.74 (p 0.001) in the 140 women having successful pregnancy outcomes. Moreover, 5 of the 8 women with a fetal death had no evidence of physical injury and an ISS = 0. Thus, interpersonal violence appears to be a marker for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. In addition, physical findings could give clues to the role of interpersonal violence in trauma during pregnancy.

Language: en