Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the rate of and risks for abruption and adverse pregnancy outcome after minor trauma in pregnancy.
Study design: This is a 3-year prospective cohort study of patients after noncatastrophic trauma. Data collected included maternal demographics and history, trauma mechanism, and pregnancy outcome. Examination, lab tests including Kleihauer-Betke (KB), and a minimum of 4 hours of fetal monitoring were performed. The primary outcomes were placental abruption and a composite pregnancy morbidity outcome. Univariate and bivariate analysis were performed.
Results: Of the 317 patients evaluated for minor trauma, 9 had a positive KB test (2.8%). Delivery information was available on 256 (81%) patients, and there was 1 placental abruption. The 49 cases (19.4%) of composite outcome could not be predicted.
Conclusion: Perhaps it is time to reevaluate the extensive evaluations often done after minor trauma in pregnancy, particularly because none of the commonly used objective measures are predictive of adverse outcomes.