Acute fatty liver of pregnancy

Acute fatty liver is a rare but potentially fatal complication of the third trimester of pregnancy. Significant improvements in morbidity and mortality have been reported in the last several years. Despite accumulation of more data about the disease, the exact pathogenesis is unknown. Many women are initially misdiagnosed with other more common causes of liver dysfunction during pregnancy. It is possible that acute fatty liver is an atypical form of preeclampsia because 30% to 40% of women with acute fatty liver also have preeclampsia. Supportive care and expeditious delivery represent the only known treatment. More data are needed about acute fatty liver of pregnancy, but the rare nature of the disease and the likelihood that most cases are not reported in the literature limit the ability systematically to study causation, disease process, and treatment options. Because of the serious condition of most women who develop acute fatty liver of pregnancy, collaboration between critical care and perinatal care providers is essential for optimal maternal-fetal outcomes.