Citation

Zakrison TL, Ruiz X, Namias N, Crandall M. Am. J. Surg. 2017; 214(4): 596-598.

Affiliation

University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA. Electronic address: Marie.crandall@jax.ufl.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.amjsurg.2017.07.003

PMID

28724500

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Trauma in pregnancy remains an important but understudied public health issue. We aimed to determine the prevalence of interpersonal violence in our pregnant trauma population (including pediatric) over the last 20 years, from our Level I trauma center.

METHODS: We conducted a descriptive, retrospective chart review to identify all pregnant trauma patients between Jan 1993 and Sept 2013. Pediatric was ≤18 years of age. We evaluated demographics, mechanism of injury, injury location, disposition, and outcome data.

RESULTS: We treated 438 pregnant patients at our center over 20 years. 378 (86%) were adult and 60 (14%) were pediatric. Intentional injuries occurred in 89 (20%) patients. The pediatric pregnant patients experienced a significantly higher proportion of intentional, interpersonal violence (33% vs. 18%, p = 0.007) compared to adults. Patients presenting after intentional, interpersonal violence had a higher mortality compared to non-intentional 5% vs 1% (p = 0.019).

CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric pregnant trauma patients remain at risk of interpersonal violence, especially firearm-related injury. Screening should be instituted by obstetricians and pediatricians for primary prevention.

Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Language: en

Keywords

Firearms; Intentional; Interpersonal violence; Pediatric; Pregnant