Electric shock in pregnancy: a review

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Emergency Medicine
• Toxicology

Background:

• The impact of electrical shock on pregnancy outcomes is not well-defined.
• Understanding these effects is crucial for managing pregnant individuals exposed to electrical injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide reliable data on medical issues associated with electrical shock during pregnancy.
• To analyze factors influencing pregnancy outcomes after electrical shock.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of scientific databases focusing on electric shock in pregnancy.
• Analysis of injury mechanisms, gestational age, complications, and maternal/fetal outcomes.

Main Results:

• Electrical shock in pregnancy presents a spectrum of outcomes, from no fetal effect to maternal and fetal death.
• Fetal injuries can manifest immediately or postnatally, including spontaneous abortion, placental abruption, fetal burns, and intrauterine fetal death.
• Continued pregnancy post-shock may lead to decreased fetal movements, asphyxia, abnormal heart patterns, growth retardation, CNS damage, and oligohydramnios.

Conclusions:

• Further large prospective observational studies are needed.
• Enhanced understanding is required for defining appropriate monitoring procedures for pregnancies following electrical shock.