Researchers are warning pregnant women about the dangers they may face on the roads as a new study shows that even minor accidents can increase the risk of birth complications.
Researchers have found that minor car accidents can lead to premature placental abruption, prolonged uterine contractions, and the need to induce labor.
Previous research has shown that serious car crashes can lead to congenital problems such as cerebral palsy, but it has not yet been known whether relatively minor crash impacts are also harmful.
To find out, researchers in Taiwan compared the birth records and health insurance claims of women who were involved in traffic accidents with women who were not involved in traffic accidents.
A study published in the journal BMJ Injury Prevention found that pregnant women who are involved in minor traffic accidents are 70% more likely to have placental abruption when the placenta partially or completely separates from the uterine wall. .
This can cause the mother to bleed and may be due to a poor supply of oxygen and nutrients to the baby.
54% of the same group were also more likely to have induced labor (induction of labor), and 34% were more likely to have prolonged uterine contractions.
Pregnant women who were involved in minor bicycle accidents had a significantly higher risk of birth complications and were 83% more likely to have placental abruption than women who were involved in car accidents.
Lead author of the study, Dr Chang-Yi Lee, from National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, said: “These results support the fact that healthcare professionals should be aware of these effects and consider providing road safety education materials to pregnant women. on the roads”. road. Routes and choice of transport while traveling pregnant.
“Given the observed associations, it is necessary to better understand in future studies the conditions that follow accidents during pregnancy in order to develop an effective treatment,” she added.
A new study has found that women with more serious road traffic injuries are at greater risk of obstetric complications.
And women admitted to hospital within three days of a car accident were almost six times more likely to experience placental abruption.
These women were also at increased risk of severe prenatal haemorrhage requiring a caesarean section and low birth weight babies.
Source: Sun
