Liver Disease and Pregnancy

Liver diseases unique to pregnancy occur only in association with pregnancy and typically resolve with delivery. Certain liver diseases such as intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, hemolysis elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome, and acute fatty liver of pregnancy are unique to pregnancy. This chapter discusses the background of liver diseases, including their classification, incidence/prevalence, etiology, pathology/pathogenesis, and the associated risk factors. It provides information on the screening, primary prevention and secondary prevention of the liver diseases. The chapter describes the differential diagnosis, clinical diagnosis, and laboratory diagnosis along with lists of diagnostic tests and imaging techniques, as well as potential pitfalls/common errors made regarding diagnosis of the disease. It also discusses the treatment options, including prevention/management of complications, and prognosis for liver diseases. Coincident liver disease with pregnancy is liver disease that may be more common and more severe during pregnancy, such as Budd-Chiari disease or gallstone disease.