Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Preterm Birth Rates among Black Women

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (02) ◽  
pp. 148-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Baer ◽  
Laura Jelliffe-Pawlowski ◽  
Mary Norton ◽  
Ashish Premkumar
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Gestational Hypertension ◽  
Chronic Hypertension ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Maternal Factors ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Relative Risks ◽  
Increased Risk

Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the role of gestational hypertension (gHTN) and chronic hypertension (cHTN) on rates of preterm birth (PTB) among black women. Study Design Singleton live births between 20 and 44 weeks' gestation among black women in California from 2007 to 2012 were used for analysis. Risk of PTB by subtype and gestational age among women with cHTN or gHTN, including preeclampsia, was calculated via Poisson's logistic regression modeling. Risks were adjusted for maternal factors associated with increased risk of PTB. Results A total of 154,950 women met the inclusion criteria. Of the 5,948 women in the sample with cHTN, 26.2% delivered preterm; for the 11,728 women with gHTN, 21.6% delivered preterm. Women with gHTN or cHTN had a higher risk of medically indicated and spontaneous PTB, both at less than 32 and 32 to 36 weeks, when compared with nonhypertensive women (adjusted relative risks [aRRs]: 3.4–11.6). Women with superimposed preeclampsia had higher risks of spontaneous (aRR: 2.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.3–3.4) and medically indicated PTB (aRR: 2.8, 95% CI: 2.0–3.8), especially PTB < 32 weeks, when compared with women with preeclampsia. Conclusion Among black women, superimposed preeclampsia increased the risk for spontaneous and medically indicated PTB, especially PTB < 32 weeks.

scholarly journals Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes of White Coat Hypertension During Pregnancy

Hypertension ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Johnson ◽  
Becky Liu ◽  
Erkan Kalafat ◽  
Basky Thilaganathan ◽  
Asma Khalil
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Risk Ratio ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Small For Gestational Age ◽  
Gestational Hypertension ◽  
White Coat Hypertension ◽  
Chronic Hypertension ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Risk Of Preeclampsia

The aim of this meta-analysis is to investigate whether white-coat hypertension (WCH) has an adverse effect on maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes. Medline, EMBASE, www.Clinicaltrials.gov , and Cochrane Library databases were searched electronically in December 2019. The outcomes were compared between pregnant women with WCH and normotensive controls, women with chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension or any hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Twelve studies were eligible for inclusion in the systematic review. Women with WCH enrolled below 20 weeks had a significantly increased risk of preeclampsia (pooled risk ratio [RR], 5.43 [95% CI, 2.00–14.71]). Furthermore, women with WCH had increased risk of delivering a small-for-gestational-age newborn (RR, 2.47 [95% CI, 1.21–5.05], P =0.013) and preterm birth (RR, 2.86 [95% CI, 1.44–5.68], P =0.002). The risk of preeclampsia (risk ratio, 0.43 [95% CI, 0.23–0.78], P =0.005), small-for-gestational-age (RR, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.26–0.82], P =0.008), preterm birth (RR, 0.47 [95% CI, 0.31–0.71], P <0.001) were significantly lower with WCH compared with women with gestational hypertension. Women with WCH delivered ≈1 week later compared with women with chronic hypertension (mean difference, 1.06 weeks [95% CI, 0.44–1.67 weeks]; P <0.001). WCH is associated with a worse perinatal and maternal outcome than normotension, but better outcomes than gestational hypertension and chronic hypertension. Therefore, diagnosis of WCH should be ascertained in pregnant women presenting with hypertension. When the diagnosis is confirmed, these women require monitoring for developing preeclampsia, small-for-gestational-age and preterm birth.

scholarly journals Endometriosis and Risk of Adverse Pregnancy Outcome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 667
Author(s):  
Kjerstine Breintoft ◽  
Regitze Pinnerup ◽  
Tine Brink Henriksen ◽  
Dorte Rytter ◽  
Niels Uldbjerg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Cesarean Section ◽  
Placental Abruption ◽  
Gestational Hypertension ◽  
Adverse Pregnancy Outcome ◽  
Placenta Previa ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Spontaneous Hemoperitoneum ◽  
In Pregnancy

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis summarizes the evidence for the association between endometriosis and adverse pregnancy outcome, including gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, low birth weight, and small for gestational age, preterm birth, placenta previa, placental abruption, cesarean section, stillbirth, postpartum hemorrhage, spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy, and spontaneous bowel perforation in pregnancy. Methods: We performed the literature review in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA), by searches in PubMed and EMBASE, until 1 November 2020 (PROSPERO ID CRD42020213999). We included peer-reviewed observational cohort studies and case-control studies and scored them according to the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale, to assess the risk of bias and confounding. Results: 39 studies were included. Women with endometriosis had an increased risk of gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, placenta previa, placental abruption, cesarean section, and stillbirth, compared to women without endometriosis. These results remained unchanged in sub-analyses, including studies on spontaneous pregnancies only. Spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy and bowel perforation seemed to be associated with endometriosis; however, the studies were few and did not meet the inclusion criteria. Conclusions: The literature shows that endometriosis is associated with an increased risk of gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, placenta previa, placental abruption, cesarean section, and stillbirth.

scholarly journals Endocrine disrupting chemical-associated hair product use during pregnancy and gestational age at delivery: a pilot study

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma V. Preston ◽  
Victoria Fruh ◽  
Marlee R. Quinn ◽  
Michele R. Hacker ◽  
Blair J. Wylie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemical ◽  
Product Use ◽  
Frequent Use ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Gestational Age At Delivery

Abstract Background Prenatal endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) exposure has been associated with increased risk of preterm birth. Non-Hispanic Black women have higher incidence of preterm birth compared to other racial/ethnic groups and may be disproportionately exposed to EDCs through EDC-containing hair products. However, research on the use of EDC-associated hair products during pregnancy and risk of preterm birth is lacking. Therefore, the objective of this pilot study was to estimate associations of prenatal hair product use with gestational age at delivery in a Boston, Massachusetts area pregnancy cohort. Methods The study population consisted of a subset of participants enrolled in the Environmental Reproductive and Glucose Outcomes (ERGO) Study between 2018 and 2020. We collected self-reported data on demographics and hair product use using a previously validated questionnaire at four prenatal visits (median: 12, 19, 26, 36 weeks’ gestation) and abstracted gestational age at delivery from medical records. We compared gestational age and hair product use by race/ethnicity and used linear regression to estimate covariate-adjusted associations of product use and frequency of use at each study visit with gestational age at delivery. Primary models were adjusted for maternal age at enrollment and delivery method. Results Of the 154 study participants, 7% delivered preterm. Non-Hispanic Black participants had lower mean gestational age at delivery compared to non-Hispanic White participants (38.2 vs. 39.2 weeks) and were more likely to report ever and more frequent use of hair products. In regression models, participants reporting daily use of hair oils at visit 4 had lower mean gestational age at delivery compared to non-users (β: -8.3 days; 95% confidence interval: -14.9, -1.6). We did not find evidence of associations at earlier visits or with other products. Conclusions Frequent use of hair oils during late pregnancy may be associated with shorter gestational duration. As hair oils are more commonly used by non-Hispanic Black women and represent potentially modifiable EDC exposure sources, this may have important implications for the known racial disparity in preterm birth.

scholarly journals Serial blood lactate levels as a prognostic factor for sepsis mortality

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 168
Author(s):  
Keswari Aji Patriawati ◽  
Nurnaningsih Nurnaningsih ◽  
Purnomo Suryantoro
Keyword(s):  
Blood Lactate ◽  
Lactate Clearance ◽  
Major Health Problem ◽  
Major Health ◽  
Serial Blood ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Relative Risks ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Lactate Levels ◽  
Blood Lactate Levels

Background Sepsis is a major health problem in children and aleading cause of death. In recent decades, lactate has been studiedas a biomarker for sepsis, and as an indicator of global tissuehypoxia, increased glycolysis, endotoxin effect, and anaerobicmetabolism. Many studies h ave shown both high levels andincreased serial blood lactate level measurements to be associatedwith increased risk of sepsis mortality.Objective To evaluate serial blood lactate levels as a prognosticfactor for sepsis mortality.Methods We performed an observational, prospective study in thePediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at DR. Sardjito Hospital,Yogyakarta from July to November 2012. We collected serialblood lactate specimens of children with sepsis, first at the time ofadmission, followed by 6 and 24 hours later. The outcome measurewas mortality at the end ofintensive care. Relative risks and 95%confidence intervals of the factors associated with mortality werecalculated using univariate and multivariate analyses.Results Sepsis was found in 91 (50.3%) patients admitted tothe PIW , of whom 75 were included in this study. Five patients(6. 7%) died before the 24-hour lactate collection and 39 patients(52.0%) died during the study. Blood lactate levels of ~ 4mmol;Lat the first and 24-hour specimens were associated with mortality(RR 2.9; 95%CI 1.09 to 7 .66 and RR 4.92; 95%CI 1.77 to 13.65,respectively). Lactate clearance of less than 10% at 24 hours(adjusted RR 5.3; 95% CI 1.1 to 24.5) had a significantly greaterrisk fo llowed by septic shock (adjusted RR 1.54; 95%CI 1.36 to6.4 7) due to mortality.Conclusion In children with sepsis there is a greater risk of mortalityin those with increasing or persistently high serial blood lactatelevels, as shown by less than 10% lactate clearance at 24-hours afterPIW admission.

scholarly journals Hypertensive Disorders during Pregnancy and Risk of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Very Preterm Infants

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (02) ◽  
pp. 176-183
Author(s):  
Filipa de Lima ◽  
Ana Machado ◽  
Hercília Guimarães ◽  
Gustavo Rocha ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ◽  
Gestational Hypertension ◽  
Newborn Infants ◽  
Chronic Hypertension ◽  
Very Preterm Infants ◽  
Hypertensive Disorders ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Preterm Babies

Introduction It is not yet fully known whether hypertensive disorders (HTD) during pregnancy impose an increased risk of development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm newborn infants. Objective To test the hypothesis that preeclampsia and other HTD are associated with the development of BPD in preterm infants. Materials and Methods Data on mothers and preterm infants with gestational age 24 to 30 weeks were prospectively analyzed in 11 Portuguese level III centers. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS statistics 23. Results A total of 494 preterm infants from 410 mothers were enrolled, and 119 (28%) of the 425 babies, still alive at 36 weeks, developed BPD. The association between chronic arterial hypertension, chronic arterial hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia, and gestational hypertension in mothers and BPD in preterm infants was not significant (p = 0.115; p = 0.248; p = 0.060, respectively). The association between preeclampsia–eclampsia and BPD was significant (p = 0.007). The multivariate analysis revealed an association between preeclampsia–eclampsia and BPD (odds ratio [OR] = 4.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.529–13.819; p = 0.007) and a protective effect for BPD when preeclampsia occurred superimposed on chronic arterial hypertension in mothers (OR = 0.077; 95%CI 0.009–0.632; p = 0.017). Conclusion The results of this study support the association of preeclampsia in mothers with BPD in preterm babies and suggest that chronic hypertension may be protective for preterm babies.

Racial Disparity in Postpartum Readmission due to Hypertension among Women with Pregnancy-Associated Hypertension

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Chornock ◽  
Sara N. Iqbal ◽  
Tetsuya Kawakita
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Maternal Age ◽  
White Women ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Gestational Hypertension ◽  
Mode Of Delivery ◽  
Chronic Hypertension ◽  
Antihypertensive Medications ◽  
Initial Discharge

Abstract Objective Postpartum hypertension is a leading cause of readmission in the postpartum period. We aimed to examine the prevalence of racial/ethnic differences in postpartum readmission due to hypertension in women with antepartum pregnancy-associated hypertension. Study Design This was a multi-institutional retrospective cohort study of all women with antepartum pregnancy-associated hypertension diagnosed prior to initial discharge from January 2009 to December 2016. Antepartum pregnancy-associated hypertension, such as gestational hypertension, preeclampsia (with or without severe features), hemolysis, elevated liver enzyme, low platelet (HELLP) syndrome, and eclampsia was diagnosed based on American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Task Force definitions. Women with chronic hypertension and superimposed preeclampsia were excluded. Our primary outcome was postpartum readmission defined as a readmission due to severe hypertension within 6 weeks of postpartum. Risk factors including maternal age, gestational age at admission, insurance, race/ethnicity (self-reported), type of antepartum pregnancy-associated hypertension, marital status, body mass index (kg/m2), diabetes (gestational or pregestational), use of antihypertensive medications, mode of delivery, and postpartum day 1 systolic blood pressure levels were examined. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Results Of 4,317 women with pregnancy-associated hypertension before initial discharge, 66 (1.5%) had postpartum readmission due to hypertension. Risk factors associated with postpartum readmission due to hypertension included older maternal age (aOR = 1.44; 95% CI: 1.20–1.73 for every 5 year increase) and non-Hispanic black race (aOR = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.16–3.87). Conclusion In women with pregnancy-associated hypertension before initial discharge, non-Hispanic black women were at increased odds of postpartum readmission due to hypertension compared with non-Hispanic white women.

scholarly journals Associations of maternal hypertensive disorders during pregnancy with offspring risks of ischemic heart disease and stroke: a Nordic cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Yang ◽  
H Chen ◽  
D Wei ◽  
I Janszky ◽  
N Roos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Ischemic Heart Disease ◽  
Gestational Hypertension ◽  
Ischemic Heart ◽  
Chronic Hypertension ◽  
Medical Birth Register ◽  
Hypertensive Disorders

Abstract Background A substantial body of evidence suggests that children exposed to maternal hypertensive disorders during pregnancy (HDP) have increased risks of preterm birth, fetal growth restriction and several cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., hypertension, obesity, diabetes) later in life. However, the direct evidence on the link between maternal HDP and the risk of severe cardiovascular diseases such as ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke in the offspring is very limited. Objective To investigate the associations between maternal HDP and the risk of IHD and stroke in the offspring. Methods We conducted a population-based cohort study by linking several national registers in Sweden and Finland. Live singleton births from the Swedish Medical Birth Register (1973–2014) and the Finnish Medical Birth Register (1987- 2014) were followed for IHD and stroke until 2014 by the national patient and cause of death registers. We performed Cox regression models to examine the association between maternal HDP and its subtypes, i.e., pre-existing chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, and preeclampsia, and the risk of IHD, and stroke in the offspring while adjusting for relevant maternal and pregnancy-related confounders. We conducted sibling analyses to control for unmeasured shared familial (genetic and/or environmental) risk factors. Results Among the 5,807,122 singletons included in the study, 218,322 (3.76%) children were born to mothers with HDP. During the up to 41 years of follow-up, 2,340 (0.04%) offspring were diagnosed with IHD and 5,360 (0.09%) were diagnosed with stroke. Offspring exposed to maternal HDP had an increased risk of IHD (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 1.29; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01–1.63), and stroke (aHR,1.33; 95% CI, 1.14–1.56). Significantly increased rates of stroke were also observed in children exposed to the subtypes of maternal HDP: pre-existing chronic hypertension (aHR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.03–2.60), gestational hypertension (HR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.08–1.77), and preeclampsia (HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.02–1.55). The associations between maternal HDP and offspring's IHD and stroke were independent of preterm birth and small for gestational age at birth. Maternal HDP remained associated with stroke in the offspring (aHR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.16–3.22), but not with IHD (aHR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.47–1.67) in the sibling analyses. Conclusion Children to mothers with HDP have increased rates of IHD and stroke from childhood to young adulthood. While the link between maternal HDP and IHD in the offspring seemed to be attributed to confounding by familial factors, the relation between maternal HDP and stroke persisted even when considering such confounding. Persons born to mothers with HDP may benefit from early screening and prevention efforts to reduce the risk of IHD and stroke later in life. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation

scholarly journals Improving preterm newborn identification in low-resource settings with machine learning

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katelyn J. Rittenhouse ◽  
Bellington Vwalika ◽  
Alex Keil ◽  
Jennifer Winston ◽  
Marie Stoner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Preterm Newborn ◽  
Maternal Factors ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Improve Accuracy ◽  
Hiv Serostatus ◽  
Twin Delivery

AbstractBackgroundGlobally, preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal death with estimated prevalence and associated mortality highest in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). Accurate identification of preterm infants is important at the individual level for appropriate clinical intervention as well as at the population level for informed policy decisions and resource allocation. As early prenatal ultrasound is commonly not available in these settings, gestational age (GA) is often estimated using newborn assessment at birth. This approach assumes last menstrual period to be unreliable and birthweight to be unable to distinguish preterm infants from those that are small for gestational age (SGA). We sought to leverage machine learning algorithms incorporating maternal factors associated with SGA to improve accuracy of preterm newborn identification in LMIC settings.Methods and FindingsThis study uses data from an ongoing obstetrical cohort in Lusaka, Zambia that uses early pregnancy ultrasound to estimate GA. Our intent was to identify the best set of parameters commonly available at delivery to correctly categorize births as either preterm (<37 weeks) or term, compared to GA assigned by early ultrasound as the gold standard. Trained midwives conducted a newborn assessment (<72 hours) and collected maternal and neonatal data at the time of delivery or shortly thereafter. New Ballard Score (NBS), last menstrual period (LMP), and birth weight were used individually to assign GA at delivery and categorize each birth as either preterm or term. Additionally, machine learning techniques incorporated combinations of these measures with several maternal and newborn characteristics associated with prematurity and SGA to develop GA at delivery and preterm birth prediction models. The distribution and accuracy of all models were compared to early ultrasound dating. Within our live‐born cohort to date (n = 862), the median GA at delivery by early ultrasound was 39.4 weeks (IQR: 38.3 ‐ 40.3). Among assessed newborns with complete data included in this analysis (n = 458), the median GA by ultrasound was 39.6 weeks (IQR: 38.4 ‐ 40.3). Using machine learning, we identified a combination of six accessible parameters (LMP, birth weight, twin delivery, maternal height, hypertension in labor, and HIV serostatus) that can be used by machine learning to outperform current GA prediction methods. For preterm birth prediction, this combination of covariates correctly classified >94% of newborns and achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.9796.ConclusionsWe identified a parsimonious list of variables that can be used by machine learning approaches to improve accuracy of preterm newborn identification. Our best performing model included LMP, birth weight, twin delivery, HIV serostatus, and maternal factors associated with SGA. These variables are all easily collected at delivery, reducing the skill and time required by the frontline health worker to assess GA.

scholarly journals Maternal cardiovascular disease risk factors as predictors of preterm birth in California: a case–control study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. e034145
Author(s):  
Anne B. Rohlfing ◽  
Gregory Nah ◽  
Kelli K. Ryckman ◽  
Brittney D. Snyder ◽  
Deborah Kasarek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Chronic Hypertension ◽  
Cvd Risk Factors ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Early Preterm Birth

ObjectiveTo determine whether maternal cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors predict preterm birth.DesignCase control.SettingCalifornia hospitals.Participants868 mothers with linked demographic information and biospecimens who delivered singleton births from July 2009 to December 2010.MethodsLogistic regression analysis was employed to calculate odds ratios for the associations between maternal CVD risk factors before and during pregnancy (including diabetes, hypertensive disorders and cholesterol levels) and preterm birth outcomes.Primary outcomePreterm delivery status.ResultsAdjusting for the other maternal CVD risk factors of interest, all categories of hypertension led to increased odds of preterm birth, with the strongest magnitude observed in the pre-eclampsia group (adjusted OR (aOR), 13.49; 95% CI 6.01 to 30.27 for preterm birth; aOR, 10.62; 95% CI 4.58 to 24.60 for late preterm birth; aOR, 17.98; 95% CI 7.55 to 42.82 for early preterm birth) and chronic hypertension alone for early preterm birth (aOR, 4.58; 95% CI 1.40 to 15.05). Diabetes (types 1 and 2 and gestational) was also associated with threefold increased risk for preterm birth (aOR, 3.06; 95% CI 1.12 to 8.41). A significant and linear dose response was found between total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and aORs for late and early preterm birth, with increasing cholesterol values associated with increased risk (likelihood χ2 differences of 8.422 and 8.019 for total cholesterol for late and early, and 9.169 and 10.896 for LDL for late and early, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic curves using these risk factors to predict late and early preterm birth produced C statistics of 0.601 and 0.686.ConclusionTraditional CVD risk factors are significantly associated with an increased risk of preterm birth; these findings reinforce the clinical importance of integrating obstetric and cardiovascular risk assessment across the healthcare continuum in women.

The Role of Mobile Phones in Real World Motor Vehicle Crashes

2015 ◽  
pp. 1366-1375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne P. McEvoy
Keyword(s):  
Text Messaging ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Motor Vehicle Crashes ◽  
Vehicle Crashes ◽  
Mobile Phone Use ◽  
Relative Risks ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Driver Distractions

Early on, road epidemiological studies (Redelmeier & Tibshirani, 1997; McEvoy et al., 2005) indicated an increased risk of motor vehicle crashes, including injury crashes, associated with mobile phone use. However, these studies were unable to assess the relative risks pertaining to specific phone tasks (for example, conversing versus texting). Moreover, direct comparisons of risk between different types of driver distractions, while possible (McEvoy, Stevenson, Woodward, 2007), were difficult to undertake. Naturalistic driving studies using instrumented cars in every day driving have provided more details of the tasks that confer particular risk in relation to phone use and other driver distractions (Klauer et al., 2014; Olson et al., 2009; Klauer et al., 2006; Dingus et al., 2006). Interest generated in these studies has prompted current trials using similar methodologies elsewhere, for example, Australia (Regan et al., 2013). To date, phone tasks involving handling of the phone and/or multiple or prolonged eye glances away from the forward roadway (dialling, reaching for the phone and text messaging) have been shown to significantly increase the risk of crashes and near crashes.

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