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Pregnancy After Concussion: A Clarion Call for Attention?
Martina Anto-Ocrah1, Virginia Cafferky, Vivian Lewis
1Departments of Emergency Medicine (Dr Anto-Ocrah), Obstetrics and Gynecology (Drs Anto-Ocrah and Lewis), and Neurology (Dr Anto-Ocrah), School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York; and University of Rochester, Rochester, New York (Ms Cafferky).
Women who experience a concussion have a significantly lower incidence of pregnancy compared to those with extremity injuries. This study highlights potential long-term reproductive effects following mild traumatic brain injury in women.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Reproductive Health
- Trauma Research
Background:
- Mild traumatic brain injury (concussion) is linked to menstrual irregularities and sexual dysfunction in women.
- The impact of concussion on subsequent pregnancy outcomes remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate pregnancy outcomes in reproductive-aged women (18-45 years) 24 months after a concussion.
- To compare pregnancy incidence between women with concussion and those with extremity injuries.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal cohort study involving 245 women (102 concussion, 143 extremity injury).
- Data collected at baseline, 6 weeks, and 24 months post-injury, including pregnancy events via chart review.
- Poisson regression used to model pregnancy incidence rates, adjusting for covariates.
Main Results:
- Women with concussion had an 80% lower incidence of pregnancies compared to extremity-injured peers (adjusted IR = 0.20).
- This finding persisted after excluding women using birth control and in sensitivity analyses.
- Subgroup analysis showed an 84% reduced pregnancy incidence in concussed women with prior menstrual/sexual dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- Concussion is associated with a significantly reduced incidence of subsequent pregnancies in women.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term reproductive health implications for women after concussion.
- This study underscores the importance of considering reproductive health in the management of female concussion patients.
