Effects of pregnancy hormones on burn wound healing: A prospective study

Objective: The incidence of female thermal burn patients of reproductive age varies from 0.6%-15% in different series with the highest incidence reported from India. With improvements in the general survival of burns patients, the pregnant woman with burns also stands a better chance of survival today. Patients and methods: This is an observational study. The study was carried out during the period from January 2018 to March 2021, at the Department of Surgery, Chirayu Medical College and Hospital, Bhopal. The total number of pregnant female patients were 10, and non-pregnant female patients were 40, aged between 19-40 years and depth of burn was greater than the first-degree burn. The study was done on the basis of age, the percentage of body surface area of burn, pregnancy vs non-pregnancy, wound healing, average length of hospital stay. Results: There were 10 pregnant and 40 non-pregnant burn female patients; assessed after initial burn resuscitation period with stable vitals. The mode of injury was predominantly domestic fire. The percentage of TBSA varied from 1% to 40%. It was found that the average length of stay in the hospital was less for pregnant females than the non pregnant females. Average length of hospital stay for pregnant females with burns was 9 days. Average length of hospital stay for non pregnant females with burn was 13.5 days. Conclusion: Burn wounds in pregnancy are associated with better and rapid healing due to the effects of pregnancy hormones. Circulating blood volume is also high in the pregnant patients which are associated with good tissue perfusion and better wound healing.