Trauma during pregnancy

Abstract EN

Objective : To determine the rate, mechanism and type of injuries for trauma sustained during pregnancy.

Methods : This is a retrospective study of women treated for trauma at Prince Rashid Hospital during the period between October first 2002 and September 30th 2004.

Obstetric deliveries during the same period were used to calculate the occurrence rate of injury.

Type and mechanism of injuries was classified according to ICD-9-CM-FY06.

Results : A total of 672 deliveries fulfilling study criteria were identified among 10,839 deliveries.

The gross occurrence rate of injury was 6.2% (672/10839).

Superficial injury, open wounds, internal injury, dislocation, sprains and strains collectively constituted (77.52%) of all injuries.

Motor vehicle traffic, nontraffic and road injuries were the most common mechanism of injury, followed by accidental falls.

Conclusion : Trauma during pregnancy is not rare.

Motor vehicle injuries and accidental falls are the leading mechanisms of injury.

Superficial wounds, contusions, and internal organ injuries are the commonest types of injuries.

Trauma can be reduced by public education.

Medical personnel should be well oriented to wide range of injuries which happen during pregnancy.