Burn Injury Resource Center
The incidence of burns during pregnancy are more common in developing countries then developed countries. Treatment of burns during pregnency may not be easy as during treatment both the wellbeing of the mother and the baby has to be taken into consideration. Topical and systemic treatment of burns in pregnant women may cause serious effects on the health of the fetus including fetal malformations.
Treatment of burns in pregnant women may include:
- Monitoring of the mother and the fetus by frequent ultrasounds, fetal heart monitoring, measuring blood clotting factors on a daily bases and other tests as needed.
- Determining the gestational age, the extent of the burn and other associated maternal illnesses.
- Preventing hypovolaemic shock by adequate fluid replacement and maintenance of blood pressure.
- Using safe drugs that won’t affect the mother and the fetal development.
- Semi sitting position can improve the oxygenation of thr pregnant woment.
- First degree burns are superfecial involving the epidermis. The skin is painful and red, it heals without any reidual scarring.
- Second degree burns involve the epidermis and part of the dermis . The skin is painful and healing may leave scarring depending on the depth of the burn.
- Third degree burn is a full thickness burn which is painless due to the destruction of the neves. It heals with scarring.
- Treatment of burns is more difficult in the first trimester of pregnancy because of the high risk of abortion.
- If there is smoke inhalation of the mother mechanical ventilation support should be started as soon as possible.
- All burned females of childbearing age should be tested for pregnancy.
This information is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice; it should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Call 911 for all medical emergencies.