Acute fatty liver of pregnancy: clinical features and diagnosis. 1988

J M Purdie, and B N Walters
King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, Subiaco, Western Australia.

Five cases of acute fatty liver of pregnancy are described. These are the only recognized cases of this disorder occurring in a 2 year period in Western Australia. Clinical and laboratory features are presented. There was no maternal death. Of the six babies, there were three intrauterine deaths, including the only set of twins. All the babies were male. Vomiting in the third trimester was the chief presenting feature in all cases, often accompanied by a systemic illness with malaise and tiredness. Extreme polydipsia was noted as a prominent symptom in all cases. The combination of moderately abnormal liver function tests, extreme leucocytosis with other blood film abnormalities, hypoglycaemia, impaired renal function, coagulopathy and gross elevation of uric acid level is regarded as highly suggestive of the diagnosis. Features of a preeclamptic illness were present in several cases. Three of the patients have since had uneventful pregnancies. The constellation of clinical and laboratory features is sufficiently characteristic to allow accurate clinical diagnosis in most cases of this disorder. The chances of both maternal and fetal survival are enhanced by early diagnosis allowing intervention in the form of prompt delivery of the infant.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007231 Infant, Newborn An infant during the first 28 days after birth. Neonate,Newborns,Infants, Newborn,Neonates,Newborn,Newborn Infant,Newborn Infants
D008111 Liver Function Tests Blood tests that are used to evaluate how well a patient's liver is working and also to help diagnose liver conditions. Function Test, Liver,Function Tests, Liver,Liver Function Test,Test, Liver Function,Tests, Liver Function
D008297 Male Males
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D011248 Pregnancy Complications Conditions or pathological processes associated with pregnancy. They can occur during or after pregnancy, and range from minor discomforts to serious diseases that require medical interventions. They include diseases in pregnant females, and pregnancies in females with diseases. Adverse Birth Outcomes,Complications, Pregnancy,Adverse Birth Outcome,Birth Outcome, Adverse,Complication, Pregnancy,Outcome, Adverse Birth,Pregnancy Complication
D011256 Pregnancy Outcome Results of conception and ensuing pregnancy, including LIVE BIRTH; STILLBIRTH; or SPONTANEOUS ABORTION. The outcome may follow natural or artificial insemination or any of the various ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNIQUES, such as EMBRYO TRANSFER or FERTILIZATION IN VITRO. Outcome, Pregnancy,Outcomes, Pregnancy,Pregnancy Outcomes
D011272 Pregnancy, Multiple The condition of carrying two or more FETUSES simultaneously. Multiple Pregnancy,Multiple Pregnancies,Pregnancies, Multiple
D011644 Puerperal Disorders Disorders or diseases associated with PUERPERIUM, the six-to-eight-week period immediately after PARTURITION in humans. Disorder, Puerperal,Disorders, Puerperal,Puerperal Disorder
D005234 Fatty Liver Lipid infiltration of the hepatic parenchymal cells resulting in a yellow-colored liver. The abnormal lipid accumulation is usually in the form of TRIGLYCERIDES, either as a single large droplet or multiple small droplets. Fatty liver is caused by an imbalance in the metabolism of FATTY ACIDS. Liver Steatosis,Steatohepatitis,Steatosis of Liver,Visceral Steatosis,Liver Steatoses,Liver, Fatty,Steatohepatitides,Steatoses, Liver,Steatoses, Visceral,Steatosis, Liver,Steatosis, Visceral,Visceral Steatoses
D005260 Female Females

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