Liver diseases in pregnancy

Liver diseases in pregnancy- symptoms

Liver disease in pregnancy is most often manifested by epigastric pain and itching of the skin. In some cases, jaundice appears. They may also produce no symptoms other than abnormalities in laboratory tests. Note that abnormal liver parameters, among others. AST or ALT can accompany conditions such as pre-eclampsia or HELLP syndrome. They are not strictly liver diseases, but abnormal liver function is involved.

In addition to abnormalities in laboratory tests, vomiting and nausea are also common in cases of gallstones or acute gestational steatosis of the liver.

Liver diseases in pregnancy-what are the most common?

Cholestasis of pregnancy

The most common liver disease in pregnancy is gestational cholestasis. It results in bile stasis, accompanied by itching of the skin. Most often, the disease passes spontaneously after childbirth. However, it requires monitoring, and in the case of abnormal or rising values of bile acids in the blood, it is necessary to terminate the pregnancy more quickly.

Acute gestational steatosis of the liver

Other less common liver diseases in pregnancy include acute gestational steatosis. It appears in 3. trimester and is one of the most dangerous complications of this period of pregnancy.

Gallbladder stones

Gallbladder stones are a condition that more often affects mothers-to-be due to mechanical pressure, as well as elevated levels of progesterone, which causes worse contraction of the gallbladder and bile ducts.

Viral hepatitis

Liver diseases also include viral hepatitis A, B, and C. They are one of the most common causes of jaundice in pregnancy. It is worth noting that every pregnant woman has HCV and HBV testing done during these nine months.

Liver diseases in pregnancy- treatment

Treatment of liver disease in pregnancy depends on the specific disease entity. Ursodeoxycholic acid is most commonly used in the course of gestational cholestasis. If the mother-to-be is struggling with gallstones, analgesic treatment is used. A pregnant woman’s diet also plays an important role in liver disease.