The frequency, type and outcomes of trauma during pregnancy in patients referring to the trauma referral center in Guilan from July 2017 to July 2019

Trauma is the first cause of mortality due to non-obstetric causes in pregnant women. There is a limited knowledge on mechanisms of trauma in pregnancy. Therefore, this study was performed with aim to determine the frequency, type and outcomes of trauma in pregnancy period in patients referring to the major trauma center in Guilan.

This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using the data registered in triage unit of Poursina Teaching center, Guilan from July 2017 when the Hospital Information System was being implemented for the first time. Using complete enumeration, all mothers with trauma histories until July 2018 (n=138) were entered into the study. They were then interviewed via telephone about the maternal and fetal outcomes after discharge, and 77 mothers answered. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (Version 21).

The mean of maternal age was 29.24±5.25 years and mean gestational age was 20.92±10.12 weeks. The most common mechanism of trauma was falling (35.5%) and then traffic accidents (31.9%), other mechanisms (sharp objects penetrating in the limbs, falling of the object on the person, dog bite, etc.) (21%), violence (10.9%) and self-immolation (0.7%). In terms of frequency, the most reported fetal outcomes were without outcome (87%), preterm birth (7.8%) and abortion (5.2%), respectively; the most common maternal outcomes were reported as uncomplicated (67.5%), bleeding (11.7%), bone fractures (11.7%), uterine contractions and cervical dilatation (9.1%).

The most common type of trauma during pregnancy was falling. Preterm birth and abortion were the fetal outcomes and vaginal bleeding, bone fracture, uterine contraction, and cervical opening were dangerous maternal outcomes which are reported. Future programs should prioritize trauma prevention in pregnancy and follow-up of maternal outcomes after discharge from trauma center.