The course of acute hepatitis is unaffected by pregnancy, except in patients with hepatitis E and disseminated herpes simplex infections, in which maternal and fetal mortality rates are significantly increased. Women with chronic liver disease or cirrhosis exhibit a higher risk of fetal loss during pregnancy. These rare diseases result in increased maternal and fetal mortality.
Treatment involves prompt delivery, whereupon the liver disease quickly reverses.
Therapy with penicillamine, trientine, prednisone or azathioprine can be safely continued during pregnancy. Isolated hepatic disease rarely occurs during pregnancy. A number of associations between hepatic dysfunction and pregnancy exist. This review discusses these relationships in the context of obstetric management. No single liver function test is available to quantify liver disease.