title: Trauma during pregnancy.
abstract: Trauma is the leading nonobstetrical cause of maternal death. The effect of trauma on the pregnant woman and unborn fetus can be devastating. The major causes of maternal injury are blunt trauma, penetrating trauma, burns, falls, and assaults. There are specific changes associated with pregnancy that are important for the clinician to consider when providing care to these patients. Initial management of traumatic injuries during pregnancy is essential for maternal and fetal well-being. This review outlines common causes of maternal trauma, the initial assessment of the pregnant trauma patient, and ongoing care for the pregnant trauma patient and unborn fetus.
authors.affiliation: Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC 28216, USA.
authors.forename: Carla J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Tweddale
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications; D015984:Causality; D002423:Cause of Death; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D005260:Female; D005323:Fetal Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D049188:Prenatal Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000458:organization & administration; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*