Jaundice and Pregnancy: Why Going Viral Is Out of Style

Excerpt

Management of the pregnant woman with abnormal liver tests is a common, albeit challenging, clinical endeavor. A multidisciplinary collaboration between obstetrician and gastroenterologist is required in considering both expectant mother and fetus in management decisions. Diagnosing pregnancy-related causes of abnormal liver function tests is important as urgent obstetric intervention and delivery may be needed. Conversely, conditions not related to pregnancy might be exacerbated by fetal delivery. The spectrum of symptoms caused by abnormal liver tests ranges from mild illness to significant risk of morbidity and mortality to the mother and fetus. Understanding the prevalence of each possible etiology of abnormal liver tests in the pregnant patient is critical to appropriate and timely clinical management. …