[Traumatic lesions of the pregnant uterus and its contents: medico-legal aspects]

Abstract

Pregnant women are not free of the risk of trauma and any abnormality of pregnancy or the child is easily attributed to an accident occurring during the preceding days, weeks or ... months. This study reviews the traumatic complication of pregnancy and methods which can be used to attribute pathological events to the accident deemed responsible. Particularly stressed is the essential need for a meticulous and accurate approach when drafting the initial certificate, the only document available to an expert medical witness called upon to assist the judicial process in case of litigation.