Trauma in pregnancy

Unveiling the impact of trauma during pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Pregnant trauma patients present unique challenges in terms of assessment and management. This study assesses the impact of traumatic injuries on pregnant patients using a national trauma database.

METHODS

ACS-TQIP (2020-2021) identified traumatically injured females aged ≥15 and ​≤ ​55. Propensity score matching compared pregnant and not-pregnant patients. Primary outcome was mortality, with secondary outcomes including length of stay (LOS), emergency department and discharge disposition, interventions, and complications.

RESULTS

Of 947,000 traumatically injured females, 8421 (0.9 ​%) were pregnant. Pregnant patients (6.0 ​%) sustained firearm injuries more than not-pregnant patients (5.4 ​%) (p ​= ​0.02). Pregnant patients had more severe thoracic (47.2%vs.9.4 ​%) and abdominal injuries (7.1%vs.4.8 ​%) compared to not-pregnant patients (p ​< ​0.001). Among pregnant patients, 5.6 ​% had preterm labor, 2.6 ​% had cesarean sections, and 1.9 ​% had abortions. After matching, there was no significant difference in mortality between both groups (p ​= ​0.40). Pregnant patients had longer ICU LOS (p ​< ​0.05) and higher rates of unplanned return to ICU (p ​< ​0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnant patients are more often victims of firearm violence, sustaining critical thoracic and abdominal injuries. These injuries demand increased interventions, introduce complications, and can be fatal.

An interplay between orthopaedic trauma and pregnancy-A case series of 42 patients

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy and trauma are complex situations with significant implications for maternal and fetal health. Physical and psychological trauma during pregnancy can lead to pre-term labor, abruptio-placenta, and fetal injury or death. Management of trauma is challenging due to physiological and anatomical changes, which can affect fracture management and the risk of radiation exposure. A multidisciplinary approach is beneficial for patient care. This study aimed to determine the impact of orthopaedic trauma on pregnancy and its outcome, and influence of pregnancy on fracture management.

METHODS AND MATERIAL

A retrospective-study was conducted at a Level-1 trauma-care-center, focusing on 54 pregnant women who sustained trauma between January 2015 and December 2022. The study included patients with closed or open fractures, but excluded those without fractures. Forty-two patients were available with minimum 1 year follow-up. Data was collected from hospital records and PACS, including demographic details, emergency care, and laboratory parameters. Changes made in protocol in fracture management due to pregnancy (primary definitive fixation vs staged management), and impact of trauma on pregnancy outcome; mode-of-delivery, maternal and fetal loss were evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean age was 30-years (range: 21-43years). Road-traffic-collision was most-common mode-of-injury (66.7 %). 38.1 % were in the first-trimester, 35.7 % in second, and 26.2 % in third-trimester. Eight patients had polytrauma, seven had multiple-injuries, and 27 had isolated-injuries. The maternal-mortality-rate was 0.45 %. Three polytraumatized patients ended up with intrauterine death, two polytrauma patients underwent elective abortion, one patient presented with spontaneous-abortion, and fetal loss was 14.3 % (6-of-42). Out of 42 patients, 10 had open-injuries and 32 had closed-injuries. Nine patients underwent LSCS(lower-segment-caesarean-section), six of them were planned for elective-LSCS due to injury and associated fractures (two patients with pelvic injuries, two neck femur fracture patients, one open distal femur fracture, and one ankle fracture dislocation).

CONCLUSION

Orthopaedic trauma during pregnancy can significantly affect pregnancy outcomes and is associated with a notably higher risk of fetal loss. An elective-caesarean-section is recommended for patients with polytrauma, pelvic-injuries, and those who are immobilized for longer-duration. During the third-trimester and in polytraumatized patients, external-fixator-application for lower-limb-injuries is a safe strategy, and definitive fixation could be performed post-delivery.

Emergency cesarean section in pregnant trauma patients presenting after motor vehicle collision

Background

Most pregnant trauma patients (PTPs) present after motor vehicle collision (MVC). The national rate and risk factors for emergency cesarean section (ECS) during the index hospitalization for pregnant trauma patients (PTPs) are unknown. We sought to investigate the national rate of ECS in PTPs presenting after MVC, hypothesizing a higher risk of ECS among those with severe injuries or elevated shock index (SI).

Methods

The 2020-2021 TQIP was queried for PTPs presenting after MVC. PTPs that underwent ECS were compared to patients that did not undergo ECS. Elevated SI was defined as ≥1. Severe injury was defined by abbreviated injury scale grade ≥3. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results

From 1183 PTPs, 95 (8.0 %) underwent ECS. The median time to ECS was 115 min. The ECS group had higher rates of lung (27.4 % vs. 12.2 %, p < 0.001) injury, spleen (18.9 % vs. 5.5 %, p < 0.001) injury, and elevated SI (22.1 % vs. 9.8 %, p < 0.001). ECS patients had higher rates of complication (9.5 % vs. 2.1 %, p < 0.001) and death (4.2 % vs. 1.1 %, p = 0.012). Independently associated risk factors for ECS included severe head (OR 2.65, CI 1.14-6.17, p = 0.023) or abdominal (OR 2.07, CI 1.08-3.97, p = 0.028) injuries and elevated SI (OR 2.17 CI 1.25-3.79, p = 0.006).

Conclusion

The national rate of ECS among PTPs presenting after MVC is 8 % with most occurring within the first 2 hours of arrival. Severe head and abdominal injuries as well as elevated SI are risk factors for ECS.

Trauma in pregnancy: A narrative review of the current literature

INTRODUCTION

Trauma accounts for nearly half of all deaths of pregnant women. Pregnant women have distinct physiologic and anatomic characteristics which complicate their management following major trauma.

OBJECTIVE

This paper comprises a narrative review of the most recent literature informing the management of pregnant trauma patients.

DISCUSSION

The incidence of trauma during pregnancy is 6-8%. The focus of clinical assessment must be on the mother, starting with the primary survey. During airway management, clinicians should consider early intubation if necessary and utilize gastric tubes to minimize the risk of aspiration. Pregnant women experience progesterone-mediated hyperventilation, and normal PaCO2 levels may portend imminent respiratory failure. Clinicians should utilize left lateral tilt in hypotensive pregnant women to displace the uterus off the inferior vena cava. Ultrasonography is an attractive imaging modality for pregnant women which is specific for ruling in intraabdominal hemorrhage but not sufficiently sensitive to exclude this diagnosis. Clinicians should not hesitate to order computed tomography imaging in unstable patients if there is diagnostic ambiguity. Cardiotocographic monitoring simultaneously assesses uterine contractions and fetal heart rate and should last at least 4 h for pregnant women following even minor abdominal trauma if their fetus has achieved viable gestational age (approximately 24 weeks). In the event of cardiac arrest, peri-mortem cesarean section may improve outcomes for the mother and fetus alike. Unique specific complications include uterine rupture and placental abruption, which require emergent resuscitation and obstetrics consultation for definitive management. Emergency clinicians should maintain a low threshold for transfer to a tertiary care center given correlations between even isolated and relatively minor traumatic injuries with adverse fetal and maternal outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Trauma is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnant women. Emergency clinicians must understand the evaluation and management of pregnant trauma patients.

Outcomes for advanced aged (35 and older) versus younger aged pregnant trauma patients: A multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Effects of advanced maternal age (AMA) pregnancies (defined as ≥35 years) on pregnant trauma patients (PTPs) are unknown. This study compared AMA versus younger PTPs, hypothesizing AMA PTPs have increased risk of fetal delivery (FD).

METHODS

A retrospective (2016-2021) multicenter study included all PTPs. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate risk of FD after trauma.

RESULTS

A total of 950 PTPs were included. Both cohorts had similar gestational age and injury severity scores. The AMA group had increased injuries to the pancreas, bladder, and stomach (p < 0.05). There was no difference in rate or associated risk of FD between cohorts (5.3% vs. 11.4%; OR 0.59, CI 0.19-1.88, p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Compared to their younger counterparts, some intra-abdominal injuries (pancreas, bladder, and stomach) were more common among AMA PTPs. However, there was no difference in rate or associated risk of FD in AMA PTPs, thus they do not require increased observation.

Seat Belt Use in the US by Pregnant Motor Vehicle Occupants

This cross-sectional study assesses patterns of seat belt use among pregnant, nonpregnant, and male occupants.

COVID-19 in the Critically Ill Pregnant Patient

Pregnant women are at increased risk for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and COVID-19-related complications. Their increased risk in conjuncture with the normal physiologic changes in pregnancy poses unique challenges for the management of the critically ill pregnant patient. This article will review the initial management of pregnant patients who develop acute hypoxic respiratory failure and subsequent treatment of those that deteriorate to acute respiratory distress syndrome and require advanced therapies. Moreover, fetal monitoring and timing of delivery will be reviewed.

Comparison of the Injury Mechanism between Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women Vehicle Passengers Using Car Crash Test Dummies

This paper analyzes the kinematics and applied forces of pregnant and non-pregnant women dummies sitting in the rear seat during a frontal vehicle collision to determine differences in the features of abdominal injuries. Sled tests were conducted at 29 and 48 km/h with pregnant and non-pregnant dummies (i.e., MAMA IIB and Hybrid III). The overall kinematics of the dummy, resultant acceleration at the chest, transrational acceleration along each axis at the pelvis, and loads of the lap belt and shoulder belt were examined. The belt loads were higher for the MAMA IIB than for the Hybrid III because the MAMA IIB had a higher body mass than the Hybrid III. The differences in the lap belt loads were 1119 N at 29 km/h and 1981-2365 N at 48 km/h. Therefore, for restrained pregnant women sitting in the rear seat, stronger forces may apply to the lower abdomen during a high-velocity frontal collision. Our results suggest that for restrained pregnant women sitting in the rear seat, the severity of abdominal injuries and the risk of a negative fetal outcome depend on the collision velocity.

Maternal Outcomes After Trauma in Pregnancy: A National Database Study

OBJECTIVES

Trauma is an important non-obstetric cause of mortality in pregnant females.

METHODS

The National Trauma Databank (NTDB) was queried between 2017 and 2018. Pregnant women >20 weeks gestation, who underwent trauma, were included. They were categorized into different age groups from 12-18, 18-35, and 36-50 years of age. The primary outcome measure was 30-day mortality.

RESULTS

1,058 pregnant trauma patients were included. Mean age was 26.7 ± 6 years. Of those 94.5% had blunt and 3.8% had penetrating injuries. Median GCS and ISS were 15 (15, 15) and 2 (1, 5), respectively. Penetrating trauma patients required more operative intervention (57.5%) than blunt trauma patients (24.6%). Univariate analysis comparing age groups 12-18, 19-35, and >36 years revealed differences. (P < .05) in ED systolic blood pressure (110.9 ± 19.7 vs 117.3 ± 20.3 vs 129.1 ± 29.3 mmHg, P = .01) and diabetes mellitus (.0 vs 2.7% vs 6.6% P = .03). There was no difference in HLOS (P = .72), complications (P = .279), and mortality (P = .32). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that compared to patients 12-18 years old, patients 19 to 35 (P = .27) or those >36 (P = 1.0) did not show a significant difference in mortality. Patients with high ISS had higher complication rates (OR 1.09; 95% CI 1.04-1.15) and prolonged HLOS (OR 1.00; 95% CI 1.07-1.15).

CONCLUSION

On average pregnant women (>20 weeks gestation) who presented to trauma centers had minor injuries and maternal age or mechanism of injury did not affect mortality. Despite a low ISS, a significant number of these patients required operative procedures.

Trauma in Pregnancy

One of the most common causes of obstetric morbidity and mortality is trauma in pregnancy. Several maternal physiological changes during pregnancy have a significant impact on the mechanism, presentation, and management of trauma in this population. It is crucial for health providers dealing with trauma to know and understand these differences between pregnant and nonpregnant patients. The obstetric trauma patient requires a multidisciplinary approach, including obstetrics, maternal fetal medicine, anesthesiology, surgery, and intensive care teams. The aim of this article is to review the most updated information on trauma during pregnancy.

Ethical challenges in management of critically ill pregnant patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Despite the overwhelming number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases worldwide, data regarding the optimal clinical guidance in pregnant patients is not uniform or well established. As a result, clinical decisions to optimize maternal and fetal benefit, particularly in patients with critical COVID-19 in the early preterm period, continue to be a challenge for obstetricians. There is often uncertainty in clinical judgment about fetal monitoring, timing of delivery, and mode of delivery because of the challenge in balancing maternal and fetal interests in reducing morbidity and mortality. The obstetrician and critical care team should empower pregnant patients or their surrogate decision maker to make informed decisions in response to the team's clinical evaluation. A clinically grounded ethical framework, based on the concepts of the moral management of medical uncertainty, beneficence-based obligations, and preventive ethics, should guide the decision-making process.

Building an obstetric intensive care unit during the COVID-19 pandemic at a tertiary hospital and selected maternal-fetal and delivery considerations

During the novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic, New York City became an international epicenter for this highly infectious respiratory virus. In anticipation of the unfortunate reality of community spread and high disease burden, the Anesthesia and Obstetrics and Gynecology departments at NewYork-Presbyterian / Columbia University Irving Medical Center, an academic hospital system in Manhattan, created an Obstetric Intensive Care Unit on Labor and Delivery to defray volume from the hospital's preexisting intensive care units. Its purpose was threefold: (1) to accommodate the anticipated influx of critically ill pregnant and postpartum patients due to novel coronavirus, (2) to care for critically ill obstetric patients who would previously have been transferred to a non-obstetric intensive care unit, and (3) to continue caring for our usual census of pregnant and postpartum patients, who are novel Coronavirus negative and require a higher level of care. In this chapter, we share key operational details for the conversion of a non-intensive care space into an obstetric intensive care unit, with an emphasis on the infrastructure, personnel and workflow, as well as the goals for maternal and fetal monitoring.

Severe COVID-19 in Third Trimester Pregnancy: Multidisciplinary Approach

The rapidly expanding cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have exposed vulnerable populations, including pregnant women to an unprecedented public health crisis. Recent data show that pregnancy in COVID-19 patients is associated with increased hospitalization, admission of the intensive care unit, and intubation. However, very few resources exist to guide the multidisciplinary team in managing critically ill pregnant women with COVID-19. We report our experience with managing a morbidly obese pregnant woman at 36 weeks' gestation with history of asthma and malignancy who presented with persistent respiratory symptoms at an outside hospital after being tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Early in the course of the hospitalization, patient received remdesivir, convalescent plasma, bronchodilator, systemic steroids, and IV heparin for COVID-19 and concomitant asthma exacerbation and pulmonary embolism. Due to increasing oxygen requirements, she was eventually intubated and transferred to our institution for higher level of care. Respiratory acidosis, severe hypoxemia, and vent asynchrony were managed with vent setting adjustment and paralytics. After 12 hours from spontaneous rupture of her membranes and with stabilization of maternal status, patient underwent a term cesarean delivery for nonreassuring fetal heart tracing. The neonate was discharged on the 2^nd day of life, while the patient was extubated on the 6^th postpartum day and was discharged to acute inpatient rehabilitation facility on the 19^th hospital day. This report highlights the disease progression of COVID-19 in a pregnant woman, the clinical challenges in the critical care aspect of patient management, and the proposed multidisciplinary strategies utilizing an algorithmic approach to optimize maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Severity of COVID-19 in pregnancy: A review of current evidence

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has recently emerged as a major threat to human health. Infections range from asymptomatic to severe (increased respiratory rate, hypoxia, significant lung involvement on imaging) or critical (multi-organ failure or dysfunction or respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation or high-flow nasal cannula). Current evidence suggests that pregnancy women are at increased risk of severe disease, specifically the need for hospitalization, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation, and the already complex management of infection with an emerging pathogen may be further complicated by pregnancy. The goal of this review is to provide an overview of what is known about the clinical course of COVID-19 in pregnancy, drawing on (a) experience with other coronaviruses such as SARS and MERS, (b) knowledge of immunologic and physiologic changes in pregnancy and how these might impact infection with SARS-CoV-2, and (c) the current literature reporting outcomes in pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2. We also briefly summarize considerations in management of severe COVID-19 in pregnancy.

Maxillofacial injuries in pregnancy following domestic abuse: A challenge in management

Domestic violence against women remains one of the most difficult obstacles in the growth of civilization. The maxillofacial region is commonly involved, and injuries are complex to characterize and manage due to diverse presentations, underlying physiological changes and sometimes an association with pregnancy complications, creating a challenge for the operating surgeon. This case report discusses the clinical presentation of maxillofacial injuries sustained by a pregnant woman who also had obstetric complications. The management of such trauma by a multidisciplinary squad led by the maxillofacial surgery team is outlined. Increasing awareness among oral healthcare providers for the early identification of interpersonal abuse along with timely intervention and adequate referral is important. Close monitoring and follow-up are also mandatory.

Special Populations: Disaster Care Considerations in Chronically Ill, Pregnant, and Morbidly Obese Patients

Special populations, which include the morbidly obese and patients with chronic, complex medical conditions that require long-term health care services and infrastructure, are at increased risk for morbidity and mortality when these services are disrupted during a disaster. Past experiences have identified significant challenges in restoring necessary care services to these patients following major environmental events. This article describes the impact of disasters on special populations, provides a framework for future disaster preparation and planning, and identifies areas in need of further research. Gravid patients, who are often overlooked in disaster planning and preparation, are also discussed.

Trauma in Pregnancy

Although trauma in pregnancy is rare, it is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality to pregnant women and fetus. Pathophysiology of trauma is generally time sensitive, and this is still true in pregnant patients, with the additional challenge of rare presentation and balancing the management of two patients concurrently. Successful resuscitation requires understanding the physiologic changes to the woman throughout the course of pregnancy. Ultimately, trauma management is best approached by prioritizing maternal resuscitation.

Medical and surgical management of acute spinal injury during pregnancy: A case series in a third-world country

BACKGROUND

There is scant literature describing the management of acute spinal injury in pregnant patients. Here, we report our experience with five cases of pregnant patients including three females who suffered acute traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCIs).

METHODS

This retrospective study evaluated five pregnant women presenting with traumatic spinal injuries over a 16-month period. All were assessed using the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury Patients and the American Spine Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS).

RESULTS

Three patients sustained SCIs: two cervical spine (C4 AIS-A and C5 AIS-B) and one thoracolumbar junction fracture dislocation (T11 AIS-A). Two patients required surgical stabilization during pregnancy, with one undergoing surgery after delivery. All three patients subsequently delivered healthy newborns. The remaining two patients without neurologic deficits at admission were treated conservatively; one had a healthy child, whereas the other patient aborted the baby due to the initial trauma.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that the same surgical principals may be applied to pregnant women as to routine patients with SCIs. Further studies with greater patient data should be performed to better develop significant guidelines for the management of pregnant patients with spinal injuries.

Forensic Aspects of Perinatal Deaths

From a forensic pathologist's perspective, there are several aspects of the perinatal postmortem that are particularly important. If a fetus is found abandoned, the pathologist needs to ascertain the fetal age, the appropriateness of growth, if the baby was born alive or dead, and the possible causes of death. In cases of litigation for perinatal deaths occurring in hospitals, access to the obstetric and neonatal notes (if the baby is born alive and dies a few hours or days later) is fundamental to reach a correct interpretation and conclusion. The most important points to consider in cases of intrapartum death are the roles of asphyxia and trauma in the causation of the baby's death. Timing of the fetal death in relation to delivery may also be an important point in these cases. Finally, intrapartum lesions should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of possible child abuse in babies aged two months or less.

Committee Opinion No. 726: Hospital Disaster Preparedness for Obstetricians and Facilities Providing Maternity Care

Large-scale catastrophic events and infectious disease outbreaks highlight the need for disaster planning at all community levels. Features unique to the obstetric population (including antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum and neonatal care) warrant special consideration in the event of a disaster. Pregnancy increases the risks of untoward outcomes from various infectious diseases. Trauma during pregnancy presents anatomic and physiologic considerations that often can require increased use of resources such as higher rates of cesarean delivery. Recent evidence suggests that floods and human-influenced environmental disasters increase the risks of spontaneous miscarriages, preterm births, and low-birth-weight infants among pregnant women. The potential surge in maternal and neonatal patient volume due to mass-casualty events, transfer of high-acuity patients, or redirection of patients because of geographic barriers presents unique challenges for obstetric care facilities. These circumstances require that facilities plan for additional increases in necessary resources and staffing. Although emergencies may be unexpected, hospitals and obstetric delivery units can prepare to implement plans that will best serve maternal and pediatric care needs when disasters occur. Clear designation of levels of maternal and neonatal care facilities, along with establishment of a regional network incorporating hospitals that provide maternity services and those that do not, will enable rapid transport of obstetric patients to the appropriate facilities, ensuring the right care at the right time. Using common terminology for triage and transfer and advanced knowledge of regionalization and levels of care will facilitate disaster preparedness.

Pregnant trauma victims experience nearly 2-fold higher mortality compared to their nonpregnant counterparts

BACKGROUND

Trauma is the leading nonobstetric cause of death in women of reproductive age, and pregnant women in particular may be at increased risk of violent trauma. Management of trauma in pregnancy is complicated by altered maternal physiology, provider expertise, potential disparate imaging, and distorted anatomy. Little is known about the impact of trauma on maternal mortality.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to: (1) characterize nonviolent and violent trauma among pregnant women; (2) determine whether pregnancy is associated with increased mortality following traumatic injury; and (3) identify risk factors for trauma-related death in pregnant women.

STUDY DESIGN

We studied 1148 trauma events among pregnant girls and women and 43,608 trauma events among nonpregnant girls and women of reproductive age (14-49 years) who presented to any accredited trauma center in Pennsylvania for treatment of trauma-related injuries from 2005 through 2015, as captured in the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study. Traumas were categorized as violent (eg, homicide or assault) or nonviolent (eg, motor vehicle accident or accidental fall). We used modified Poisson regression to estimate relative rate of trauma-related death, adjusting for demographic characteristics and severity of trauma.

RESULTS

Compared to nonpregnant women, pregnant women and girls had a lower injury severity score (8.9 vs 10.9, P < .001) and were significantly more likely to experience violent trauma (15.9% vs 9.8%, P < .001). Pregnant trauma victims had a 1.6-fold higher rate of mortality compared to their nonpregnant counterparts (P < .001), and were both more likely to be dead on arrival and to die during their hospital course (adjusted relative risk, 2.33, P < .001, and adjusted relative risk, 1.79, P = .004, respectively). Pregnancy was associated with increased mortality in both victims of nonviolent and violent trauma (adjusted relative risk, 1.69, P = .002, and adjusted relative risk, 1.60, P = .007, respectively). Pregnant trauma victims were less likely to undergo surgery (adjusted relative risk, 0.70, P = .001) and more likely to be transferred to another facility (adjusted relative risk, 1.72, P < .001). Even after adjusting for demographics and injury severity score, violent trauma was associated with 3.14-fold higher mortality in pregnant women and girls compared to nonviolent trauma (adjusted relative risk, 3.14, P = .003).

CONCLUSION

Pregnant women and girls are nearly twice as likely to die after trauma and twice as likely to experience violent trauma. Universal screening for violence and trauma during pregnancy may provide an opportunity to identify women at risk for death during pregnancy.

Treatment of Pregnant Patients With Orthopaedic Trauma

Fracture management in pregnant patients is challenging. Anatomic and physiologic changes in pregnancy increase the complexity of treatment. Maternal trauma increases the risk of fetal loss, preterm birth, placental abruption, cesarean delivery, and maternal death. Initial resuscitation and treatment in a facility equipped to handle the orthopaedic injury and preterm births are paramount. Pelvic and acetabular injuries are potentially life threatening. The benefits and risks of surgical treatment must be carefully considered. The risks posed by anesthetic agents, antibiotic agents, anticoagulant agents, and radiation exposure must be understood. Positioning of the patient can affect the viability of the fetus. If surgery is necessary, the left lateral decubitus position decreases fetal hypotension. A specialized team including an obstetrician, perinatologist, orthopaedic surgeon, general trauma surgeon, critical care specialist, emergency medicine specialist, anesthesiologist, radiologist, and nurse must collaborate to improve maternal and fetal outcomes.

Trauma in pregnancy: A review of the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation database

Objective

The goal of this study is to determine if injury severity score (ISS) of ≥9 and systolic blood pressure (SBP) predict poor maternal/pregnancy outcomes in blunt and penetrating trauma, respectively.

Methods

The Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation database was used to identify pregnant trauma patients. Blunt trauma patients were analyzed with regard to ISS, while penetrating trauma patients were analyzed to determine whether SBP < 90 mmHg was predictive of poor maternal outcome.

Results

Patients with severe blunt injury (ISS ≥ 9) due to motor vehicle accident were less likely to wear seatbelts (51% vs. 63%, p = 0.005), and delivery was required in 17% of these patients as compared to 6% of the less severely injured, and only 6% of those were vaginal deliveries. Severely injured patients were discharged home 68% of the time and 6% died compared to less severely injured patients of which 83% were discharged home and <1% died; all other patients required discharge to a rehabilitation facility. Patients with penetrating trauma and SBP < 90 mmHg on arrival were more likely to require delivery (35% vs. 5%, p < 0.001) and were 14 times more likely to die (58% vs. 4%, p < 0.001) when compared to the normotensive group.

Conclusion

ISS ≥ 9 and SBP < 90 mmHg are predictors for poor outcomes after trauma during pregnancy. Severely injured blunt trauma patients often require surgery and delivery. Patients who present with SBP < 90 after penetrating trauma are more likely to deliver and are 14 times more likely to die.

The impact of minor trauma on pregnancy

Purpose

To determine the impact of a single episode of minor trauma during pregnancy on maternal and fetal outcomes.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of pregnant women who experienced minor trauma at ≥24 weeks gestation between 2004 and 2014. The subjects who experienced minor trauma (minor trauma group) were matched by gestational age at the time of minor trauma, body mass index, and age to a cohort of women who did not experience trauma in pregnancy (control group). The primary obstetrical outcome was preterm delivery and the primary neonatal outcomes were APGAR scores and neonatal intensive care unit admission.

Results

There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to demographics or other risk factors for preterm delivery. Average gestational age at the time of delivery was 39 weeks regardless of whether a woman experienced minor trauma. Preterm delivery occurred more often in the control group (11.8% versus 7.9%, p = 0.0428) as did the rate of neonatal intensive care unit admissions (8.6% versus 5%, p = 0.0273). A subgroup analysis was performed excluding patients with a medically indicated delivery and there was no difference in the rate of preterm delivery (6.4% in the control group, 4% in the minor trauma group, p-value 0.9052). Among women with a spontaneous preterm delivery, the rates of preterm labor (3.0% control versus 2.0% minor trauma, p-value 0.75) and preterm premature rupture of membranes were found to be similar between the two groups (3.8% control versus 2.0% minor trauma PPROM, p-value 0.75).

Conclusions

One episode of minor trauma in pregnancy does not increase the risk for preterm delivery, premature rupture of membranes, or poor neonatal outcomes.

Critical Care for the Obstetrician and Gynecologist: Obstetric Hemorrhage and Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy

Obstetric hemorrhage accounts for 5% all deliveries in the United States and accounts for high maternal morbidity and mortality. Many hemorrhages are secondary to uterine atony and are quickly ameliorated with appropriate uterotonic use. However, for a subset of cases, severe hemorrhage may require advanced resuscitative techniques, and innovative procedural and surgical techniques. This article guides a provider through such a resuscitation.

Considerations in the Radiologic Evaluation of the Pregnant Orthopaedic Patient

Radiographic imaging of the pregnant patient represents a diagnostic and management dilemma for the orthopaedic surgeon. Imaging is often necessary in the setting of trauma; however, in utero radiation exposure can result in deleterious developmental effects in the embryo and fetus. The likelihood of a negative effect is proportional to the radiation dose and the gestational age of the embryo or fetus at the time of exposure. Ionizing radiation doses >100 mGy in the first trimester of pregnancy may lead to spontaneous abortion, malformation, and mental retardation. Whereas plain radiographs of the extremities and cervical spine expose the fetus to minimal doses of radiation of <10 mGy, other commonly performed orthopaedic diagnostic studies, such as CT of the pelvis, emit significantly higher exposure doses of approximately 35 mGy. Non-emitting modalities, such as ultrasonography and MRI, are alternatives for evaluation in the clinical setting.

Motor vehicle collision-related accidents in pregnancy

AIM

Motor vehicle accidents (MVA) are a major contributor of worldwide morbidity and mortality; however, relatively little is known about the incidence and consequences of traffic accidents on pregnant women. Our aim is to compare rates and outcomes of motor vehicle collision-related accidents in pregnant women.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from 2003 to 2011. The risk of different MVA and injuries were compared among pregnant and non-pregnant subjects using conditional logistic regression.

RESULTS

We identified 5936 cases of collision-related MVA in pregnancy and age-matched them at a 1:10 ratio to 59,360 non-pregnant women with collision-related MVA. As compared to non-pregnant women, pregnant women who were admitted after an MVA suffered less severe injuries and consequently required fewer therapeutic interventions and a shorter hospital stay. Pregnant women who had a collision-related MVA were, however, at increased risk of requiring genitourinary surgery (odds ratio [OR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-1.69). When restricted to women with a fracture, pregnant women were even more likely to require genitourinary surgery (OR, 2.93; 95%CI, 2.32-3.71) as well as require a blood transfusion (OR, 1.21; 95%CI, 1.01-1.44).

CONCLUSION

Pregnant women admitted to hospital after a collision-related MVA tend to sustain less severe injuries compared to non-pregnant women. However, the influence of admissions for fetal monitoring, rather than maternal injury, could not be determined from our dataset. Pregnant women who experienced a collision-related MVA also required less surgical intervention, with the exception of genitourinary surgery, which may be indicative of more cesarean deliveries.

Trauma in pregnancy and its consequences in Kermanshah, Iran from 2007 to 2010

OBJECTIVE

Nowadays, with decreased mortality of pregnant women by obstetrical causes, trauma has become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnant women. This study was carried out to determine the frequency of trauma in pregnancy and related causes and selected consequences in pregnant women of Kermanshah, Iran from 2007 to 2010.

METHODS

In this descriptive-analytical study, all pregnant women who suffered trauma and were admitted to Imam Reza, Taleghani, and Motazedi hospitals located in Kermanshah from 2007-2010 were studied. Sampling was done by census method and medical records of all eligible patients were studied. Data analysis was done by the SPSS software for Windows 9ver. 16.0).

RESULTS

There were 102 cases of trauma in pregnancy registered in this time period. Mean age of the cases was 26 years. Most cases (43%) were in their third trimester of pregnancy upon admission. Most trauma cases were of blunt traumas (68%). In 68 cases (66.67%), trauma resulted in maternal injury (independent of pregnancy) and 13 cases (12.75%) resulted in obstetrical or fetal injuries. Maternal injuries showed significant difference (P= 0.02) in different years. Motor vehicle accidents with a frequency of 47% were the most common cause of trauma.

CONCLUSION

Trauma in pregnancy can be a leading cause of injury and fatality in mother and fetus. The most common type of injury was motor vehicle accidents. Therefore, any strategy that can decrease the rate of motor vehicle accident in a community can decrease mortalities of women (even pregnant or non-pregnant).

A history of abuse and operative delivery--results from a European multi-country cohort study

OBJECTIVE

The main aim of this study was to assess whether a history of abuse, reported during pregnancy, was associated with an operative delivery. Secondly, we assessed if the association varied according to the type of abuse and if the reported abuse had been experienced as a child or an adult.

DESIGN

The Bidens study, a cohort study in six European countries (Belgium, Iceland, Denmark, Estonia, Norway, and Sweden) recruited 6724 pregnant women attending routine antenatal care. History of abuse was assessed through questionnaire and linked to obstetric information from hospital records. The main outcome measure was operative delivery as a dichotomous variable, and categorized as an elective caesarean section (CS), or an operative vaginal birth, or an emergency CS. Non-obstetrically indicated were CSs performed on request or for psychological reasons without another medical reason. Binary and multinomial regression analysis were used to assess the associations.

RESULTS

Among 3308 primiparous women, sexual abuse as an adult (≥ 18 years) increased the risk of an elective CS, Adjusted Odds Ratio 2.12 (1.28-3.49), and the likelihood for a non-obstetrically indicated CS, OR 3.74 (1.24-11.24). Women expressing current suffering from the reported adult sexual abuse had the highest risk for an elective CS, AOR 4.07 (1.46-11.3). Neither physical abuse (in adulthood or childhood <18 years), nor sexual abuse in childhood increased the risk of any operative delivery among primiparous women. Among 3416 multiparous women, neither sexual, nor emotional abuse was significantly associated with any kind of operative delivery, while physical abuse had an increased AOR for emergency CS of 1.51 (1.05-2.19).

CONCLUSION

Sexual abuse as an adult increases the risk of an elective CS among women with no prior birth experience, in particular for non-obstetrical reasons. Among multiparous women, a history of physical abuse increases the risk of an emergency CS.

Trauma during pregnancy

Traumatic injuries in pregnancy are both common and burdensome. Optimal management includes proper triage, maternal resuscitation, fetal monitoring, and diagnostic imaging.

Maternal deaths in NSW (2000-2006) from nonmedical causes (suicide and trauma) in the first year following birth

INTRODUCTION

Trauma, including suicide, accidental injury, motor traffic accidents, and homicides, accounts for 73% of all maternal deaths (early and late) in NSW annually. Late maternal deaths are underreported and are not as well documented or acknowledged as early deaths.

METHODS

Linked population datasets from births, hospital admissions, and death registrations were analysed for the period from 1 July 2000 to 31 December 2007.

RESULTS

There were 552,901 births and a total of 129 maternal deaths. Of these deaths, 37 were early deaths (early MMR of 6.7/100,000) and 92 occurred late (late MMR of 16.6/100,000). Sixty-seven percent of deceased women had a mental health diagnosis and/or a mental health issue related to substance abuse noted. A notable peak in deaths appeared to occur from 9 to 12 months following birth with the odds ratio of a woman dying of nonmedical causes within 9-12 months of birth being 3.8 (95% CI 1.55-9.01) when compared to dying within the first 3 months following birth.

CONCLUSION

Perinatal services are often constructed to provide short-term support. Long-term identification and support of women at particular risk of maternal death due to suicide and trauma in the first year following birth may help lower the incidence of late maternal deaths.

Committee opinion no. 555: hospital disaster preparedness for obstetricians and facilities providing maternity care

Numerous occurrences in the past decade have brought the issue of disaster preparedness, and specifically hospital preparedness, to the national forefront. Much of the work in this area has focused on large hospital system preparedness for various disaster scenarios. Many unique features of the obstetric population warrant additional consideration in order to optimize the care received by expectant mothers and their fetuses or newborns in the face of future natural or biologic disasters.

[Traumatic abruption of the placenta with disseminated intravascular coagulation]

Trauma in pregnancy is infrequent and a systematic primary strategy constitutes a real challenge for the interdisciplinary team. With a high fetal mortality rate and a substantial maternal mortality rate traumatic placental abruption is a severe emergency which every anesthetist should be aware of. After hemodynamic stabilization of the mother and control of the viability of the fetus the therapy of traumatic placental abruption consists mostly of an immediate caesarean section. Coagulopathy by depletion of coagulation factors as well as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) have to be expected and consequently a massive blood loss must be anticipated. Thrombelastography provides assistance for fast differential diagnosis and goal-directed treatment of the disturbed sections of the coagulation cascade.

Pregnancy and trauma: analysis of 139 cases

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the diagnoses and treatment methods and demographical and clinical characteristics of pregnant women who were exposed to trauma and in additon, review of the literature was carried out in this regard.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

One hundred thirty-nine pregnant women who presented at the Yüzüncü Yıl University between January 2006 and September 2009 with local or general body trauma complaints were analysed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The average age of the cases was 26.72±6.29 years and the age group ranging from 21-34 composed the majority. When they were studied according to their etiologies, falls during daily activities formed 43.9%. When they were analyzed in terms of their gestational weeks, 64.46% were in the 3(rd) trimester. Pregnant cases with trauma resulted in maternal (3 cases) and fetal (9 cases) loss. It was found that 19 cases who had imaging techniques involving radiation and whose gestation was continuing had a problem-free gestation period and healthy children.

CONCLUSION

It is mandatory to evaluate both mother and fetus together when trauma exposure is in question, the general well-being of the fetus should be provided and the mother should be informed about the presence of advanced trauma life support.

Postmortem cesarean: report of our successful neonatal outcomes after severe trauma during pregnancy and review of the literature

Postmortem cesarean is delivering of a child by cesarean section after the death of the mother. A prompt decision for cesarean delivery is very important in such cases. The survival of both the mother and the baby is dependent on a number of factors, including the time between maternal cardiac arrest and delivery, the underlying reasons for the arrest, the location of the arrest and the skills of the medical staffs. The earlier the fetus is delivered following maternal arrest the better is the fetal survival. Cesarean section should be performed no later than 4 minutes after initial maternal arrest. A fetus delivered within 5 minutes from initiation of CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) has the best chance for survival. We reported 2 cases of successful postmortem cesarean section done 45 and 15 minutes after maternal death. The 1st case was a 29-year-old pregnant woman at 37 weeks gestation with cardiopulmonary arrest following gunshot head injuries. The baby survived with neurological sequels and ongoing treatment at our newborn intensive care unit. Second case admitted to the emergency service was a 28-year-old primigravida of 31 weeks gestation with cardiopulmonary arrest due to massive brain and thoracic hemorrhage after a road traffic accident. The baby recovered without neurological sequels.

Socio-demographic characteristics of women sustaining injuries during pregnancy: a study from the Danish National Birth Cohort

OBJECTIVES

To describe adverse birth outcomes associated with hospital-treated injuries that took place among women in the Danish National Birth Cohort.

DESIGN

Longitudinal cohort study.

SETTING

Denmark.

PARTICIPANTS

90 452 women and their offspring selected from the Danish National Birth Cohort.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

To determine if injured women were more likely to deliver an infant preterm, with low birth weight, stillborn or have a spontaneous abortion, the authors estimated HRs. ORs were generated to assess APGAR scores and infants born small for gestational age (SGA). Models were adjusted for maternal smoking and drinking during pregnancy, household socioeconomic status, eclampsia/pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes status during pregnancy and maternal age at birth; estimates for preterm birth were also adjusted for prior history of preterm birth.

RESULTS

In the cohort of 90 452 pregnant women, 3561 (3.9%) received medical treatment for an injury during pregnancy. Injured pregnant women were more likely to deliver infants that were stillborn or have pregnancies terminated by spontaneous abortion. The authors did not detect an adverse effect between injuries sustained during pregnancy and delivery of preterm, low birth weight or SGA infants, or infants with an APGAR score of <7.

CONCLUSIONS

The study shows that injuries occurring among women from an unselected population may not have an adverse effect on birth weight, gestational age, APGAR score or SGA status but may adversely affect the risk of stillbirth and spontaneous abortions in some situations.

Theoretical analysis of the effect of positioning on hemodynamic stability during pregnancy

OBJECTIVES

A left lateral tilt of 15° has been advocated during trauma resuscitation of near-term pregnant patients to avoid the potential for hemodynamic compromise caused by aortocaval compression in the supine position. This recommendation is supported by limited objective evidence, and an experimental determination of the optimal tilt required would be very difficult to accomplish logistically. A derivation of the Guyton/Coleman/Summers computer model of cardiovascular physiology was used to analyze the theoretically expected hemodynamic responses to varying degrees of lateral tilt for a normal pregnancy and during a simulated hemorrhagic shock.

METHODS

Computer simulation studies were used to predict the degree of left lateral tilt required to restore hemodynamic normalcy during the final 20 weeks of gestation. The analytic procedure involved recreating the clinical conditions for a virtual subject through a simulated reenactment of the clinical transfer of a pregnant patient from a lateral to a supine positioning. An analysis of model validity in the context of this particular clinical condition found the model predictions to be within 5% to 12% of experimental results.

RESULTS

During the simulated lateral to supine position transfer, the virtual patient with Class I hemorrhage had a 7% greater fall in cardiac output and a 17% greater fall in mean arterial pressure (MAP) than the corresponding nonhemorrhagic patient. The model suggests that 15° of tilt will result in hemodynamic normalization only up to 26 weeks of gestation. In addition, 13% greater tilt is required to achieve hemodynamic normalcy in the hemorrhaged term pregnant patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Current trauma guidelines suggest that the pregnant trauma patient be placed in a 15° left lateral tilt position to prevent aortocaval compression. A computer simulation study suggests that this tilt may be inadequate to offload the vena cava and normalize the circulation.