Obstetric Outcome in Women with Chronic Liver Disease

This study determines the prevalence, causes and outcome of pregnancy in women with chronic liver diseases in a tertiary level teaching institute in Southern India.

Retrospective analysis of case records was carried out between December 2010 and May 2015 in the departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Gastroenterology including pregnant women diagnosed to have chronic liver diseases prenatally or during pregnancy.

The frequency of chronic liver disease in pregnancy was 50 among 10,823 deliveries (0.4%). Twenty-six women with chronic liver disease had 50 pregnancies during the study period. Fifty percent of the women had cirrhosis. Maternal complications occurred in 22% of the study group. Variceal hemorrhage occurred in 4%, and hepatic decompensation occurred in 16%. There were two maternal deaths (4%). Obstetric complication such as preeclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage and puerperal infection occurred in 18, 14 and 18%, respectively. Abortion occurred in 34%, 55% in cirrhotic and 4.8% in non-cirrhotic. Live birth rate of 76% was significantly higher (p < 0.014) in the non-cirrhotic group compared to cirrhotic group.

Pregnancies in chronic liver disease are associated with high rate of abortions. Live birth rates are better and complications such as variceal bleeding or decompensation of liver disease are less common than previously reported.