Acute fatty liver of pregnancy [Incidence, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis]

ABSTRACT

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy [AFLP] is a rare, potentially fatal complication that occurs in the third trimester or early postpartum period. It generally appears between weeks 30 and 38. Usually the APLF symptoms start one to two weeks before hospitalization with nausea, emesis, general uneasiness, jaundice, epigastric pain and other symptoms. A careful history and physical examination, in conjunction with compatible laboratory and imaging results, are often sufficient to make the diagnosis, and liver biopsy is rarely indicated. The maternal outcome has improved enormously during the last decade. Early diagnosis, pregnancy interuption and handling in special care or treating complications has lead to good materno-fetal results: