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ABSTRACT
Abnormal liver tests occur in 3%-5% of pregnancies, with many
potential causes, including coincidental liver disease (most
commonly viral hepatitis or gallstones) and underlying chronic
liver disease. However, most liver dysfunction in pregnancy is
pregnancy-related and caused by 1 of the 5 liver diseases unique to
the pregnant state: these fall into 2 main categories depending on
their association with or without preeclampsia.The preeclampsiaassociated liver diseases are preeclampsia itself, the hemolysis
(H), elevated liver tests (EL), and low platelet count (LP) (HELLP)
syndrome, and acute fatty liver of pregnancy. Hyperemesis
gravidarum and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy have no
relationship to preeclampsia. Although still enigmatic, there have
Table 1 : Features of pregnancy-associated liver
diseases
Disease
Timing of
occurrence
First trimester
Clinical
features
Nausea, vomiting,
weight loss,
nutritional
deficiency
Second/third
trimester
Syndrome
Third trimester
of hemolysis,
elevated liver
tests, and low
platelets (HELLP)
Hypertension,
edema,
proteinuria,
neurological
deficits
(headaches,
seizures, coma)
Abdominal
pain, nausea,
vomiting, edema,
hypertension,
proteinuria
Nausea, vomiting,
abdominal pain,
fatigue, jaundice
Pruritus, jaundice,
fatigue, abdominal
pain, steatorrhea
Hyperemesis
gravidarum
Preeclampsia/
eclampsia
Third trimester
Second/third
trimester
Histology
No distinct
histopathology,
may see
normal tissue
or hepatocyte
necrosis, bile
plugs, steatosis
Periportal
hemorrhage,
necrosis, fibrin
deposits, may see
microvesicular fat
Necrosis,
periportal
hemorrhage,
fibrin deposits
Microvesicular fat
Centrilobular
cholestasis, no
inflammation
HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM
Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is defined as intractable nausea and
vomiting during pregnancy that often leads to fluid and electrolyte
imbalance, weight loss of 5% or greater, and nutritional deficiency
requiring hospital admission 1. The incidence of HG varies from
0.3%-2% of all live births 2. HG often occurs between the 4th
and 10th wk of gestation and usually resolves by the 20th wk.
However, in approximately 10% of HG patients, symptoms
continue through pregnancy and resolve only with delivery of the
fetus 3. Liver involvement is seen in about 50%-60% of patients with
HG 4. Most commonly seen are mild serum aminotransferases
elevations, but there are reported cases of severe transaminase
elevations (alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels 400 to over
1000 U/L) 5. Mild hyperbilirubinemia with mild jaundice can be seen
as well. Other complications include disturbances in electrolytes
and in water and acid-base balance that can usually be treated
adequately with hydration.
Prochlorperazine
Antihypertensives
ACE inhibitors
C/D
Beta blockers
C/D
Enoxaparin
Heparin
Teratogenic and embryotoxic effects have been demonstrated in small animals. There are no
adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women
Adverse effects in the fetus include intrauterine growth retardation, salicylate intoxication,
bleeding abnormalities, and neonatal acidosis. Use of aspirin close to delivery may cause
premature closure of the ductus arteriosus. Data have shown low-dose aspirin (60-150 mg/ day)
may be safe in pregnancy
No adequate and well-controlled studies using enoxaparin. Postmarketing reports include
congenital abnormalities and also fetal death
Does not cross the placenta
Intrahepatic cholestasis
Ursodeoxycholic acid
S-adenosyl-L-methionine
Cholestyramine
Anticoagulation Aspirin
Additional studies are needed to determine safety to the fetus, particularly during the first
trimester
There are isolated reports of congenital anomalies; however, some included exposures to other
drugs. Jaundice, extrapyramidal signs, hyper-/hyporeflexes have been noted in newborns
First trimester exposure to ACE inhibitors may cause major congenital malformations Second
and third trimester use of an ACE inhibitor is associated with oligohydramnios and anuria,
hypotension, renal failure, skull hypoplasia, and death in the fetus/neonate
Fetal bradycardia, hypotension, risk of intrauterine growth retardation
C (1st/2nd trimesters)
D (3rd trimester)
PREECLAMPSIA/ECLAMPSIA
Preeclampsia defined by the triad of hypertension, edema, and
proteinuria. It affects about 5%-10% of all pregnant women
and usually occurs late in the second trimester or in the third
trimester. In preeclampsia, hypertension is defined as having a
systolic pressure greater than 140 mmHg and a diastolic pressure
greater than 90 mmHg on at least two occasions that are at least 4
to 6 h apart in a previously normotensive patient, and proteinuria is
defined as equal to or greater than 300 mg of protein in a 24 h urine
collection or 1+ protein or greater on urine dipstick testing of two
random urine samples collected at least 4 to 6 h apart 8. Eclampsia
involves all features of preeclampsia and includes neurologic
symptoms such as headaches, visual disturbances, and seizures
or coma. Risk factors for preeclampsia and eclampsia include
nulliparity, extremes of maternal age, insulin resistance, obesity,
and infection 8, 9.The pathophysiology of preeclampsia/ eclampsia is
471
472
473
HEPATITIS E
Hepatitis E virus infection occurs in non-industrialized nations,
usually as an epidemic disease during the monsoon season in
central and south Asia and India; it is rare in the West. Acute
hepatitis E during the third trimester of pregnancy is a cause of
fulminant hepatic failure and has a mortality rate of up to 20%
30
. Maternal Hepatitis E virus infection also has been associated
with intrauterine fetal death 31, 32. The risks of intrauterine death
and abortion in any trimester are greater in pregnant women
with hepatitis E than they are in their uninfected counterparts.
Maternal-fetal transmission of hepatitis E resulting in symptomatic
neonatal hepatitis has occurred 33; no known therapy will prevent
vertical transmission of this virus.
HEPATITIS B
As a rule maternal hepatitis B virus infection does not influence
the course of pregnancy nor does pregnancy alter the natural
history of maternal hepatitis B. Most women of childbearing age
with chronic hepatitis B are healthy virus carriers with a very low
risk of developing complications of their disease during gestation.
The importance of hepatitis B during pregnancy is related to its
role in the perpetuation of chronic infection through vertical
transmission: Maternal-fetal transmission of hepatitis B virus is
responsible for most cases of chronic hepatitis B worldwide
especially in Southeast Asia and Africa 34. Mothers with a reactive
serum test for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) have more circulating
474
WILSON DISEASE
Wilson disease in women of childbearing age is associated with
amenorrhea and infertility. Treatment of affected individuals to
remove excess copper may result in resumption of ovulatory
cycles and subsequent pregnancy. Pregnant patients must remain
on medication to treat Wilson disease because discontinuation
of therapy can cause sudden copper release hemolysis, acute liver
failure and death 50. D-penicillamine is potentially teratogenic in
humans 51 but has beeen used safely during pregnancy at doses
necessary for copper chelation 52. Similarly trientine is teratogenic
in animals but appears to be saafe in humans as treatment for
copper overload. Zinc is not teratogenic and some experts favor
its use during pregnancy as therapy for Wilson disease for this
reason 53.
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