Electrical Accidents During Pregnancy

Electrical accidents during pregnancy are relatively infrequent, and reports are rare. Six pregnant women who suffered an electrical injury during pregnancy are presented here. For all, the current path through the body was from hand to foot. Changes that occurred in fetal movements and development as well as the outcome of the pregnancies, are presented. After delivery, the placenta and cord were carefully examined in all cases. From an analysis of the published cases and the present findings, it seems that there are no specific clinical and pathological signs of fetoplacental damage. Medical examination, shortly after the accident, may reveal a dead fetus. However, when it is found alive, oligohydramnios or growth retardation may develop later, and a close follow-up seems advisable. Pregnant women should be warned to notify their attending physician in all cases of electrical shock, no matter how apparently minor. (Obstet Gynecol 67:861, 1986)