Trauma in pregnancy

The care of the pregnant trauma patient provides unique challenges and holds profound implications for both fetal and maternal outcomes. The incidence of trauma in pregnant patients is low, approximately 5% [1], but it is the leading cause of nonobstetric mortality, and the associated fetal morbidity and mortality increases with the severity of the maternal injuries. The management of these patients is influenced by unique anatomic and physiologic changes, increased concern for deleterious radiation and medication exposures, and the need for multidisciplinary care. This article reviews the critical features necessary in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and disposition of pregnant trauma patients with a focus on recent developments reported in the literature pertinent to emergency management.