A Systematic Review of the Relationship Between Blood Loss and Clinical Signs

PLoS One; March 6, 2013; 8(3): e57594; https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0057594

This review examined 30 studies involving women with haemorrhage, 5 of which focused on pregnancy-related haemorrhage, to see if there was a relationship between blood loss and clinical signs that could be used as triggers for clinical interventions. The authors found that there was considerable variability in this relationship. While there was a significant relationship between shock index and blood loss, it is difficult to establish specific cut-off points for other factors to indicate clinical intervention. Further research on the role of the shock index in obstetrics is needed.