Talks
Trauma in Pregnancy: A Statistical Retrospective Analysis of Leading Causes and Demographic Insights
Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position
Medical Student
Academic/Professional Position (Other)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 1)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 2)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 3)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 4)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 5)
Medical Student
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Discipline Track
Community/Public Health
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: Trauma during pregnancy is a significant contributor to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Understanding the leading causes of trauma can guide interventions to improve outcomes of injuries for pregnant women. This study aimed to analyze the distribution of trauma causes in a cohort of pregnant women treated in Texas Emergency Department over the year 2021.
Methods: A retrospective statistical analysis was conducted on a sample of 96 pregnant women who experienced trauma. Data was collected from the Texas Emergency Department for patients admitted to the hospital during 2021 and categorized by the cause of injury; some of these injuries included motor vehicle collisions, falls, and assaults. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the frequency and percentage of each trauma type.
Results: Among the 96 cases analyzed, the leading cause of trauma was motor vehicle collisions, accounting for 52% of cases. Falls constituted 14.5%, while assaults accounted for 18.75% of cases. The remaining 14.5% were attributed to other causes, including self-harm, accidental firearm discharge, and accidents involving other vehicles (e.g., ATVs). Another frequent "other" injury was a strike or crush injury caused by an object. Without further detail, some of these circumstances could be suspicious for assault.
The cohort's demographic breakdown included 37.5% White, 38.5% Black or African American, 20.8% "Other," 2% Asian, and 1% American Indian. Reports of physical abuse showed that 4.167% involved confirmed cases, 44.79% denied experiencing abuse, and in 47.92% of cases, it was not reported or recorded.
Conclusion: Violence during pregnancy is a significant concern, often involving an intimate partner and posing severe risks. According to the CDC, in 2022, about 6% of individuals with a recent live birth experienced emotional, physical, or sexual violence during pregnancy by a current intimate partner, with over two-thirds also experiencing such violence before pregnancy. However, the rate is suspected to be much higher due to a lack of proper reporting. The high rate of unreported or denied physical abuse highlights the need for improved screening and support for intimate partner violence during pregnancy.
Motor vehicle collisions are the predominant cause of trauma among pregnant women in this cohort, emphasizing the need for targeted preventive measures such as seatbelt education and road safety campaigns. Further research is necessary to explore strategies for reducing trauma from other causes, such as falls and assaults.
Recommended Citation
Argenal, Andrea; Bhatia, Sonya; Duddu, Sowmya; Paz, Julia; Gullapalli, Sriya; Baker, Kelsey; and Gadad, Bharathi, "Trauma in Pregnancy: A Statistical Retrospective Analysis of Leading Causes and Demographic Insights" (2025). Research Symposium. 4.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2025/talks/4
Trauma in Pregnancy: A Statistical Retrospective Analysis of Leading Causes and Demographic Insights
Background: Trauma during pregnancy is a significant contributor to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Understanding the leading causes of trauma can guide interventions to improve outcomes of injuries for pregnant women. This study aimed to analyze the distribution of trauma causes in a cohort of pregnant women treated in Texas Emergency Department over the year 2021.
Methods: A retrospective statistical analysis was conducted on a sample of 96 pregnant women who experienced trauma. Data was collected from the Texas Emergency Department for patients admitted to the hospital during 2021 and categorized by the cause of injury; some of these injuries included motor vehicle collisions, falls, and assaults. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the frequency and percentage of each trauma type.
Results: Among the 96 cases analyzed, the leading cause of trauma was motor vehicle collisions, accounting for 52% of cases. Falls constituted 14.5%, while assaults accounted for 18.75% of cases. The remaining 14.5% were attributed to other causes, including self-harm, accidental firearm discharge, and accidents involving other vehicles (e.g., ATVs). Another frequent "other" injury was a strike or crush injury caused by an object. Without further detail, some of these circumstances could be suspicious for assault.
The cohort's demographic breakdown included 37.5% White, 38.5% Black or African American, 20.8% "Other," 2% Asian, and 1% American Indian. Reports of physical abuse showed that 4.167% involved confirmed cases, 44.79% denied experiencing abuse, and in 47.92% of cases, it was not reported or recorded.
Conclusion: Violence during pregnancy is a significant concern, often involving an intimate partner and posing severe risks. According to the CDC, in 2022, about 6% of individuals with a recent live birth experienced emotional, physical, or sexual violence during pregnancy by a current intimate partner, with over two-thirds also experiencing such violence before pregnancy. However, the rate is suspected to be much higher due to a lack of proper reporting. The high rate of unreported or denied physical abuse highlights the need for improved screening and support for intimate partner violence during pregnancy.
Motor vehicle collisions are the predominant cause of trauma among pregnant women in this cohort, emphasizing the need for targeted preventive measures such as seatbelt education and road safety campaigns. Further research is necessary to explore strategies for reducing trauma from other causes, such as falls and assaults.
