ABSTRACT
Abdominal trauma, most commonly by motor vehicle accident, can result in placental abruption and fetal-maternal hemorrhage. If contusion and tears of the placenta occur, there may be extensive intravillous hemorrhage, and bleeding into the amniotic sac. Concurrent fetal injuries including skull fractures, with or without cranial hemorrhages, have also been described. Fetal death can occur associated with placental abruption, infarction, and laceration of the placenta650. Fetomaternal hemorrhage can cause acute Rh isoimmunization651.
