Acute Burns in Pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Acute burns injury in pregnant women is relatively rare especially in developed countries. There is a paucity of published data on the specific problems of burns in pregnancy, despite the high mortality for both the mother and the fetus. Aim: In this paper we will discuss all cases of acute burns in pregnant women admitted to the Burns Department in Al-Mouassat University Hospital in Damascus during the period between October 2017 and October 2019. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of records over 2 years was conducted. The study included all pregnant burn injury women who were managed and followed up at the Burns Department in Al-Mouassat University Hospital. Patients were classified according to gestational age, burn characteristics, and maternal and fetal outcome. Results: Eleven patients were included, with mean age of 22.5 years (range 16 - 37 years). Of the 11 pregnant patients, 4 (36%) were in the first trimester, 3 in the second trimester (27%), and 4 in the third trimester (36%). The mean percentage of total body surface area (TBSA) burned was 40.9% (range: 17% - 76%). Maternal death occurred in 2 of the cases (18%) and fetal death in 7 (63.6%). Conclusion: Maternal mortality is correlated to the percentage of the total burned area and inhalation injury. Burns in pregnant women have a profound effect on the fetal wellbeing, with a high rate of mortality especially in the first trimester.