TRAUMA IN PREGNANCY

Trauma is a major cause of maternal death in pregnancy. The pregnant w oman who has been involved in an episode leading to her arrival in an accident and emergency department presents with specific problems that often require specialist attention. The correct initial management of such patients should not be beyond the capabilities of an average tra uma team and such management is clearly taught as part of the Advanced Trauma Life Support course now available in the UK. This review outli nes the physiological changes associated with pregnancy that become im portant during resuscitation and definitive care. It discusses the pre sentation and management of specific problems, and the safety - or oth erwise - of commonly administered drugs. Only the initial resuscitatio n of the patient is considered; specialist obstetric care is beyond th e scope of the article.