Criteria of Aitokallio-Tallberg and Halmesmaki for Hospital Discharge of a Pregnant Woman in the Second or Third Trimester After a Motor Vehicle Accident

 

Patient selection: A pregnant female involved in a motor vehicle accident during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Some patients were riding a bicycle at the time of the accident.

 

Criteria for early discharge (2-4 hours of observation) - all of the following:

(1) frontal impact

(2) impact at low speed (< 30 km/h, or < 18.6 miles/h)

(3) no external evidence of trauma

(4) asymptomatic

(5) normal external CTG (cardiotocography)

(6) normal fetal and placental ultrasound

 

Risk factors for significant injury:

(1) broadside impact

(2) high speed (> 80 km/h)

 

Maternal findings following significant trauma:

(1) uterine contractions

(2) uterine tenderness

(3) abnormal fetal ultrasound

(4) abnormal external CTG

(5) placental abruption

(6) fetal distress or demise