Citation Information :
Gaikwad HS, Nagpal K, Nath B, Sharma P, Mittal P, Batra A. Liver Dysfunction in Pregnancy as a Maternal Factor in the Causation of Stillbirth: A Single Center Experience. J South Asian Feder Obs Gynae 2024; 16 (4):331-335.
Background and aim: Liver disorder is relatively rare in pregnancy and its association with stillbirths has not been much investigated. We undertook the index study to find the incidence of stillbirth in pregnant women with liver disorders and to compare the maternal characteristics in pregnant women with liver disorders delivering live births.
Methodology: Retrospective data from 3 years were extracted from the neonatal–perinatal database encompassing the stillbirth registry. All pregnant women who had stillbirths, with preexisting or diagnosed as having a liver disorder during the index pregnancy were included for analysis.
Results: The incidence of stillbirths due to liver disorder in pregnancy was 4.4%. There was a significant difference between the two groups of women with liver disorders delivering stillbirths and livebirths in terms of the number of antenatal visits [p < 0.05, odds ratio (OR) = 2.43 (1.47–4.03)], the incidence of hypertension of pregnancy [p = 0.026, OR =1.94 (1.07–3.53)], and abruption [p < 0.05; OR = 7.9 (4.09–15.24)]. Women who delivered stillbirths had higher odds of fetal growth restriction [p = 0.058; OR = 2.03 (0.97–4.27)], acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) [p < 0.05; 100 (10.75–1000)], hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection [p < 0.05; 3.58 (2.02–6.33)] and jaundice [p <0.05; 2.60 (1.50–4.51)].
Conclusion: The incidence of stillbirths due to liver disorders in pregnancy was 4.4%. Hypertension of pregnancy, abruption, fetal growth restriction, and low birth weight were significantly associated with stillbirths. Among all hepatic disorders, jaundice due to medical disorders and HEV were found significantly high in women with stillbirths.
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