Predictors of fetal delivery in pregnant trauma patients: A multicenter study

Jeffrey W Santos; Areg Grigorian; Alexa N Lucas; Nicole Fierro; Navpreet K Dhillon; Eric J Ley; Jennifer Smith; Sigrid Burruss; Alden Dahan; Arianne Johnson; William Ganske; Walter L Biffl; Dunya Bayat; Matthew Castelo; Diane Wintz; Kathryn B Schaffer; Dennis J Zheng; Areti Tillou; Raul Coimbra; Rahul Tuli; Jarrett E Santorelli; Brent Emigh; Morgan Schellenberg; Kenji Inaba; Thomas K Duncan; Graal Diaz; Erika Tay-Lasso; Danielle C Zezoff; Jeffry Nahmias

doi:10.1097/TA.0000000000003964

Predictors of fetal delivery in pregnant trauma patients: A multicenter study

J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2024 Jan 1;96(1):109-115. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000003964. Epub 2023 Aug 15.

Affiliation

¹ From the Division of Trauma, Burns and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery, (J.W.S., A.G., A.N.L., E.T.-L., D.C.Z., J.N.), University of California, Irvine, Orange; Department of Surgery (N.F., N.K.D., E.J.L.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles; Division of Trauma and Critical Care (J.S.), Harbor-UCLA Hospital, Torrance; Department of Trauma, Acute Care Surgery, Surgical Critical Care (S.B.), Loma Linda Medical Center, Loma Linda; Riverside School of Medicine (A.D.), University of California, Riverside; Cottage Health Research Institute (A.J., W.G.), Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara; Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, Scripps Memorial Hospital (W.L.B., D.B., M.C.), La Jolla; Department of Surgery (D.W., K.B.S.), Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego; Department of Surgery (D.J.Z., A.T.), UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles; Department of Surgery, Comparative Effectiveness and Clinical Outcomes Research Center-CECORC (R.C., R.T.), Riverside University Health System Medical Center, Moreno Valley; Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery (J.E.S.), University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego; Division of Acute Care Surgery (B.E., M.S., K.I.), LAC+USC Medical Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles; and Department of Trauma (T.K.D., G.D.), Ventura County Medical Center, Ventura, California.

PMID: 37580875
DOI: 10.1097/TA.0000000000003964

Abstract

Background: Pregnant trauma patients (PTPs) undergo observation and fetal monitoring following trauma due to possible fetal delivery (FD) or adverse outcome. There is a paucity of data on PTP outcomes, especially related to risk factors for FD. We aimed to identify predictors of posttraumatic FD in potentially viable pregnancies.

Methods: All PTPs (≥18 years) with ≥24-weeks gestational age were included in this multicenter retrospective study at 12 Level-I and II trauma centers between 2016 and 2021. Pregnant trauma patients who underwent FD ((+) FD) were compared to those who did not deliver ((-) FD) during the index hospitalization. Univariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression were performed to identify predictors of FD.

Results: Of 591 PTPs, 63 (10.7%) underwent FD, with 4 (6.3%) maternal deaths. The (+) FD group was similar in maternal age (27 vs. 28 years, p = 0.310) but had older gestational age (37 vs. 30 weeks, p < 0.001) and higher mean injury severity score (7.0 vs. 1.5, p < 0.001) compared with the (-) FD group. The (+) FD group had higher rates of vaginal bleeding (6.3% vs. 1.1%, p = 0.002), uterine contractions (46% vs. 23.5%, p < 0.001), and abnormal fetal heart tracing (54.7% vs. 14.6%, p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, independent predictors for (+) FD included abdominal injury (odds ratio [OR], 4.07; confidence interval [CI], 1.11-15.02; p = 0.035), gestational age (OR, 1.68 per week ≥24 weeks; CI, 1.44-1.95; p < 0.001), abnormal FHT (OR, 12.72; CI, 5.19-31.17; p < 0.001), and premature rupture of membranes (OR, 35.97; CI, 7.28-177.74; p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The FD rate was approximately 10% for PTPs with viable fetal gestational age. Independent risk factors for (+) FD included maternal and fetal factors, many of which are available on initial trauma bay evaluation. These risk factors may help predict FD in the trauma setting and shape future guidelines regarding the recommended observation of PTPs.

Level of evidence: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level III.

Publication types

Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

Abdominal Injuries*
Female
Gestational Age
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Pregnancy
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors