LIVER DISEASES IN PREGNANCY

Nibampa Denis and Wang Hong Ling*

ABSTRACT

Three to five percent of pregnancies show abnormal liver tests which includes coincidental liver diseases like viral hepatitis or gallstones, previous (underline) chronic liver diseases or aggravated by pregnancy state. Liver diseases in pregnancy cause remarkable morbidity and mortality in women (pregnant) as well as in their infants. Liver diseases in pregnancy are divided into two categories, Preeclampsia related (the hemolysis, elevated liver tests and low platelet count, (HELLP) syndrome, acute fatty liver of pregnancy) and unrelated to preeclampsia (hyperemesis gravidarum and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy). Only fifty percent of hyperemesis gravidarum patients have liver dysfunction, which occurs in 1st trimester of pregnancy. 2nd half of pregnancy with pruritus, jaundice (less than 5mg/dl), elevated liver enzymes are characteristic features of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). Prompt delivery is recommended for HELLP syndrome. Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) occurs in 3rd trimester.

Keywords: AFLP Acute fatty liver of pregnancy, ICP Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, HG Hyperemesis gravidarum, HELLP.