Wall Street Journal Examines Volvo's New Three-Dimensional Computer Model for Crash Tests Involving Pregnant Women

Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report 

Monday, June 07, 2004 

Public Health & Education
 
Wall Street Journal Examines Volvo's New Three-Dimensional Computer Model for 
Crash Tests Involving Pregnant Women
 
The Wall Street Journal on Monday examined car manufacturer Volvo's new 
three-dimensional computer model that simulates how pregnant women's bodies 
react during car accidents. The model, which Volvo engineer Laura Thackray 
built as part of her graduate work at Chalmers University of Technology in 
Sweden, could be a "step forward" in understanding how pregnant women and 
their fetuses are affected in violent car accidents, according to the 
Journal. Although there are approximately 120,000 auto accidents involving 
pregnant women each year, the government does not track fetal injuries, premature 
births or other results from accidents involving pregnant women, and the National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration does not require car makers to research the 
effects of car accidents on pregnant women and their fetuses, according to the 
Journal. The Center for Injury Research and Control at the University of Pittsburgh 
estimates that 350 to 700 fetal deaths occur each year from car accidents, 
according to the Journal. To create the model, Thackray worked with OB/GYNs to 
create realistic computer-generated organs, body proportions and fetuses. Thackray 
said that so far her model has demonstrated a "great need" for modifications to 
seat belts, steering wheels and interior surfaces in cars to provide more safety 
for pregnant women and their fetuses, according to the Journal. Although it may 
"take a few years" before Thackray's work translates into changes in car design, 
the research is "influencing" vehicle development at Volvo, according to the 
Journal (Jordan, Wall Street Journal, 6/7).