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Pregnancy is a time when specific conditions can develop for this period. Sometimes expectant mothers have problems with the liver and its normal function during pregnancy. Find out about the most common liver conditions during pregnancy and how they are treated.
Liver disease during pregnancy – symptoms
Liver diseases during pregnancy are usually characterised by pain in the stomach and itching of the skin. In some cases, jaundice occurs. They may also have no symptoms other than abnormalities in the laboratory tests. It is important to remember that abnormal liver parameters such as AST or ALT can be associated with conditions such as pre-eclampsia or HELLP syndrome. Although these are not purely liver diseases, abnormal liver values do occur during their course.
In addition to abnormalities in the laboratory tests, vomiting and nausea are also common in the case of gallstones or acute gestational steatosis of the liver.
Liver diseases during pregnancy – what are the most common?
Cholestasis during pregnancy
The most common liver disease during pregnancy is pregnancy cholestasis. It leads to a blockage of bile, which is accompanied by itching on the skin. In most cases, the condition resolves spontaneously after delivery. However, it must be monitored and the pregnancy must be terminated more quickly if abnormal or increasing bile acid levels are found in the blood.
Acute steatosis during pregnancy
One of the less common liver diseases during pregnancy is acute gestational steatosis. It occurs in the third trimester and is one of the most serious complications during this time of pregnancy.
Stones in the gallbladder
Gallbladder stones occur more frequently in expectant mothers due to mechanical pressure and increased progesterone, which causes poorer 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 during pregnancy. It should be noted that every pregnant woman is tested for HCV and HBV during these nine months.
Liver diseases during pregnancy – treatment
The treatment of liver diseases during pregnancy depends on the disease in question. Ursodeoxycholic acid is usually used for cholestasis during pregnancy. If the expectant mother is struggling with cholelithiasis, analgesic treatment is used. The diet of the pregnant woman also plays an important role in liver disease.
