Which of the following is a direct cause of fetal injury during maternal trauma?

• A. Rapid deceleration
• B. Maternal dehydration
• C. Prolonged labor
• D. Vitamin K deficiency

Answer: (A)

Direct fetal injury during maternal trauma most often comes from rapid deceleration, which transfers a strong, sudden force to the fetus. When the mother’s body comes to a stop quickly, the fetus inside continues moving momentarily, creating shear and compression forces that can cause injuries such as skull fractures or intracranial hemorrhage. The other options don’t involve a mechanical impact on the fetus: maternal dehydration can affect fetal oxygen delivery but doesn’t directly injure fetal tissues; prolonged labor is a non-traumatic process that can stress the fetus but isn’t a direct injury from trauma; and vitamin K deficiency affects newborn bleeding risk after birth, not acute fetal injury from maternal trauma.