Electric shock in pregnancy: a review.

OBJECTIVE

The effect of gestational age and other factors that could influence the outcome of an electric shock in pregnancy have not been defined yet. Objective of this study is to provide reliable data on medical issues linked to electric shock in pregnancy.

METHODS

Authors consulted the most important scientific databases investigating reactions to electric shock in pregnancy, analyzing mechanism of electric shock, gestational age at the time of injury, the post-shock complications, interval from injury to delivery and fetal and maternal outcome.

RESULTS

The spectrum of electrical injuries in pregnancy ranges from transient unpleasant sensation with no effect on the fetus to sudden maternal and fetal death. The clinical presentation of the fetal injury may manifest immediately or even postnataly. Reported outcomes include spontaneous abortion, placental abruption, cardiac arrhythmias, fetal burn and intrauterine fetal death. If the pregnancy is continued, decreased fetal movements and asphyxia, pathological fetal heart patterns, intrauterine fetal growth retardation, damage to the fetal central nervous system and oligoamnios can occur.

CONCLUSIONS

More large prospective observational studies are necessary for a proper insight into the expected outcomes of the electric shock in pregnancy as well as for a final definition of monitoring procedures of such pregnancies.