DIAGNOSIS OF ACUTE ABDOMEN IN PREGNANT WOMEN: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Acute abdomen is a clinical syndrome that represents a challenging diagnosis during pregnancy, and the delay in its etiological definition implies complications for the pregnant woman and for the fetus. The aim of this study was to determine the most common etiological causes and to evaluate the essential complementary tests to assist in the effectiveness of care. The review was performed by consulting the PubMed, Medline, LILACS and DOAJ databases (range 2011-April 2021). Twenty-two articles that met the inclusion criteria were selected. Complaint Acute appendicitis was the main etiology found, most in the second trimester of pregnancy. The ultrasoun exam was important for the initial screening of the patient and magnetic resonance imaging proved to be essential for the diagnostic definition. Thus, it is important that health professionals know how to recognize the most common causes of acute abdomen during pregnancy and know the correct follow-up for the quick and effective management of the diagnosis and treatment of the pregnant woman.