Physical trauma etiologies in pregnancy in Turkey

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy and trauma combination is a rare condition which requires additional attention. Adequate experience and a multidisciplinary approach are important to maintain maternal and fetal health. This study aimed to analyze trauma cases during pregnancy. Methods: We investigated the data of pregnant womens who were admitted to our emergency department after trauma between 2014 and 2019. We recorded trauma etiologies and the distribution of etiologies based on variables such as age, gravidity number and pregnancy week. In addition, we analyzed obstetric/non-obstetric injuries and pregnancy outcomes. Results: This study included 1031 cases. The mean age was 25.9 ± 5.8 (15–48) years. The second trimester had the highest number of trauma cases (411 [39.9%]), whereas the first trimester had the lowest (221 [21.4%] patients). Trauma cases were highest during the first pregnancy (420 [40.7%]). Blunt trauma was the main trauma mechanism (1007 of 1031 cases [97.7%]). The most common trauma etiology was simple fall (SF) (503 [48.8%]). The second common trauma mechanism was assault and affected 180 (17.5%) of patients. In 46 (25.6%) cases assailant was patients partner. The most common obstetric symptom was vaginal bleeding (2.7%), and the most common bone fracture was tibial fracture (0.5%). Conclusions: The etiologies of trauma in pregnant women significantly differ from the normal population. SFs and assaults play a major role in the etiology. Knowledge of the distribution of these etiologies according to pregnancy week may allow preventive measures to be taken.

Keywords

• pregnancy
• trauma
• assault
• fall
• accident
• electric shock