Acute fatty liver of pregnancy: a report of two cases

In the past two years, two women with acute fatty liver of pregnancy have presented at this hospital. Both patients survived, but their babies died; published rates for both mother and fetus are up to 85% mortality with this condition. Both patients presented with symptoms and signs of impending hepatic failure including jaundice, elevated aminotransferases, leukocytosis, hepatic encephalopathy and disseminated intravascular coagulation during the third trimester. Diagnosis was established by liver biopsy in both cases. The unusual good outcome for both women can be attributed to early recognition and prompt delivery, once diagnosis was considered.