Liver disease in pregnancy

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Hepatology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

• Abnormal liver tests affect 3%-5% of pregnancies, stemming from coincidental or chronic liver diseases.
• Pregnancy-specific liver conditions are categorized by their association with preeclampsia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize recent advances in understanding pregnancy-related liver diseases.
• To highlight the clinical features, diagnosis, and management of these conditions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of pregnancy-related liver diseases.
• Categorization based on preeclampsia association.
• Summary of clinical presentations and management strategies.

Main Results:

• Five key pregnancy-related liver diseases: preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, acute fatty liver of pregnancy, hyperemesis gravidarum, and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.
• Preeclampsia-associated conditions: preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, acute fatty liver of pregnancy.
• Non-preeclampsia-associated conditions: hyperemesis gravidarum, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.
• HELLP syndrome and acute fatty liver of pregnancy are severe conditions requiring immediate delivery.
• Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy necessitates fetal monitoring and early delivery.

Conclusions:

• Understanding unique pregnancy liver diseases is critical.
• Timely diagnosis and delivery are essential for managing severe conditions like HELLP syndrome and acute fatty liver of pregnancy.
• Close fetal monitoring and early delivery are vital for intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.