Transient alteration in fetal biophysical profile immediately following fetomaternal hemorrhage sustained during motor vehicle accident

• Published in: American journal of perinatology Vol. 14; no. 4; p. 187
• Main Authors: Sherer, D M, Winkler, H A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-04-1997
• Subjects: Accidents, Traffic; Adult; Female; Fetal Distress - etiology; Fetal Distress - physiopathology; Fetal Viability; Fetomaternal Transfusion - complications; Fetomaternal Transfusion - physiopathology; Fetus - physiopathology; Gestational Age; Heart Rate, Fetal - physiology; Humans; Multiple Trauma - complications; Multiple Trauma - physiopathology; Pregnancy; Ultrasonography, Prenatal
• ISSN: 0735-1631
• DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-994124

Transient altered fetal behavior manifested by decreased fetal biophysical score at 37 weeks' gestation following maternal injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident, represented an immediate fetal response to fetomaternal hemorrhage occurring during the accident. Although cesarean delivery had initially been considered due to fetal distress (fetal biophysical score of 4 of 10), the fetal biophysical score improved within 2 hr, permitting spontaneous vaginal delivery of a nonasphyxiated fetus, 24 hr after the traumatic event. To our knowledge this is the first report of a transient abnormal fetal biophysical profile in association with a large fetomaternal hemorrhage.