title: Assessment of the pregnant trauma patient.
abstract: Although less than 10% of pregnant patients are likely to experience some type of physical trauma, injury is the leading non-obstetric cause of maternal mortality. The assessment and resuscitation of the injured pregnant patient must take into account the specific needs of both the mother and the foetus. This paper will review the physiology of pregnancy, discuss recent changes in assessment and resuscitation, and identify special injuries and issues specific to the pregnant trauma patient.
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma and Critical Care, University of Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA. betty.tsuei@uc.edu
authors.forename: Betty J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Tsuei
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000379:methods; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D046689:Fetal Mortality; D006801:Humans; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000379:methods; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy