Safety of Lap-Belt Restraint for Pregnant Victims of Automobile Collisions

Abstract

Of 208 pregnant victims of severe automobile accidents, 28 wore lap belts, and 180 were unrestrained. Lap-belt restraint was associated with a reduction in maternal death from 7.8 to 3.6 per cent, and with an increase in fetal loss from 14.4 to 16.7 per cent. These differences are not statistically significant, and no evidence was obtained that lap-belt restraints increased mortality of either mother or fetus involved in severe accidents. Among unbelted pregnant women involved in severe collisions, the death rate was 33 per cent of those ejected from the car and 5 per cent of those not ejected. The fetal death rate was 47 per cent when the mother was ejected and 11 per cent when she was not. These differences are statistically significant. Thus, lap belts, which usually prevent ejection, may be recommended for pregnant travelers.