Immaculate conception in trauma: The importance of history, physical examination and bedside investigations in detecting pregnancy

Nik Ahmad Shaiffudin, Nik Him and Rosliza, Yahaya and Azizul Fadzli, Wan Jusoh@Ab Rahim and Nordin, Simbak and Nik Arif, Nik Mohamad (2017) Immaculate conception in trauma: The importance of history, physical examination and bedside investigations in detecting pregnancy. IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS), 16 (4). pp. 109-111. ISSN 2279-0853

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Abstract

Detection of early pregnancy in an injured patient remains a constant diagnostic challenge to emergency care providers (ECP) as history taking and physical examination may be insufficient for diagnosis. An emergency care provider working in a busy emergency department can easily miss the diagnosis of pregnancy, resulting in exposure of the fetus to radiation that may be detrimental. Early detection of pregnancy will allow ECP to take necessary steps to minimise the radiation exposure to both the mother and fetus in the course of managing the injured patient. Management of this group of patient will be more challenging if it involves teenage pregnancies, which has social considerations and medico-legal consequences. It is vital to properly assess all injured women of child bearing age in the emergency department (ED) to detect pregnancy as it will affect their management. A proper menstrual history and abdominal examination combined with bedside investigations are pertinent and important before imaging is performed.

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