Pregnancy outcomes in women with acute fatty liver of pregnancy referred to Mashhad University Hospitals in 2013-2018

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) has been noticed due to high mortality rate for mother and fetus. However, the cause and pathogenesis of AFLP are unclear, and the absence of specific symptoms precludes early diagnosis and effective treatment. Therefore, this study was performed with aim to investigate the pregnancy outcomes in patients with acute fatty liver of pregnancy.

This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed in 2013-2018. A total of 1475 records of women suspected to acute fatty liver of pregnancy, HELLP syndrome, severe pre-eclampsia and Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) who were hospitalized in the university hospitals of Mashhad were selected and evaluated. Chief complaints at admission, laboratory data and pregnancy outcomes were evaluated. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 23).

A total of 34 records with diagnosis of AFLP were included in this study. Nausea and vomiting (94.11%), abdominal pain (94.11%) and hypertension (52.94%) were three main complaints in these patients, respectively. Laboratory test showed an increase in bilirubin, liver enzymes, coagulation tests, creatinine and a decrease in albumin and platelet count. Mean gestational age at the time of pregnancy termination was 34.2±2.04 weeks. We found 5 cases of maternal and 4 cases of neonatal mortality. Mean recovery time was 6.03±2.53 days.

AFLP is associated with maternal mortality and the complications like multi organ failure, Diseminated intravascular coagulation, preterm labor, postpartum hemorrhage, and neonatal mortality. Since in this study, the most common complications of patients with AFPL were nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, it is recommended to evaluate all pregnant women in third trimester who refer with these symptoms for diagnosis of AFLP.