Prenatal Screen to Predict Risk of Maternal Death
Pregnancy News
Obie Editorial Team
Women who scored a 0 were less likely to suffer traumatic death during pregnancy. Women with a score of 4 were nearly 12 times as likely to suffer traumatic death. When researchers looked at risk factor ratings for the 114 women who suffered traumatic death during pregnancy, only three percent of the population scored a zero risk factor.
Researchers believe doctors can use the traumatic risk model to screen pregnant women for potential risk of traumatic death. Based on scores, women doctors can attempt to reduce risk to patient and fetus. The study was published in the journal Women’s Health Issues.
Source: Hardt NS, Eliazar J, Burt M, Das R, Winter WP, Saliba H, Roth J. Use of a prenatal risk screen to predict maternal traumatic pregnancy-associated death: program and policy implications. Womens Health Issues. 2013 May-Jun;23(3):e187-93. doi: 10.1016/j.whi.2013.02.002.