The Hebrew University and Ichilov Hospital researchers found that pregnant women have a 40% increased chance of developing blood clots in the deep veins of the legs and lungs following a flight. This risk is in a time period of up to two months from the flight
One of the biggest concerns on a long flight, apart from boredom, a screaming baby in the seat behind you and a tasteless meal, is the question of whether a flight might harm your health - especially during pregnancy. In a new study, conducted in collaboration between the Department of Statistics and Data Science at the Hebrew University and the Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv, it was found that among pregnant women the risk of venous thrombosis was 40% higher. The findings were recently published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM by Dr. Shai Ram and Dr. Hila Shalu Ram, under the guidance of Prof. Yariv Yogev from the Ichilov Hospital, together with doctoral student Beitia Neuhoff under the guidance of Prof. Micah Mandel from the Department of Statistics and Data Science at the university the hebrew
Venous thrombosis, which is 5 times more common among women during pregnancy and almost 80 times more in the postpartum period, is one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and even mortality. While past studies have found that long flights at high altitude significantly increase the risk of the disease, until now the information among pregnant women was very limited. In the current study, the team of researchers based on Medical database Extensive and flight insurance data purchased through a recognized health insurance company. "We conducted a data analysis of more than 450,000 women who gave birth between 2010-2019," shared the doctoral student Neuhoff, adding: "We compared the women who flew during pregnancy and those who did not fly During it, while focusing on cases of venous thrombosis about 8 weeks after the flight". This method allowed the researchers to calculate statistically the risk ratio per day Having post-flight venous thrombosis during pregnancy or in the delivery bed.
Dr. Ram explains that "it is important to note that the proportion of women who were diagnosed with venous thrombosis after the flight was very low, but the research findings indicated that the risk ratio per day among this group is 40% higher." These findings emphasize the importance of preventive conduct such as drinking a lot, making sure to move during the flight and even using elastic socks. "Vein thrombosis is a relatively rare event, but especially among women with other risk factors besides pregnancy, it is very important to adhere to the recommendations for preventive medicine and to consult the attending physician beforehand, in order to prevent an event that may be life-threatening", concludes Dr. Shalu Ram.
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