Trauma during pregnancy--a review of management

The assessment and management of 22 pregnant patients who were admitted after trauma to Westmead Hospital between July, 1987 and October, 1988 was reviewed. Thirteen of the 22 patients were victims of motor vehicle accidents. Despite the fact that an injury research unit, responsible for the clerking and review of all trauma patients, is well established at our institution, only 6 patients in this series had been assessed in this fashion. Although a number of important obstetric investigations (albeit uncommon in the accident and emergency room situation) are well described in the literature, these were not performed in a number of patients. A protocol for the management of such patients is recommended so that more standardized and appropriate care might be given to the injured pregnant patient.