Recurrent acute fatty liver of pregnancy

Article Abstract:

The third trimester, or final three months, of pregnancy may be associated with a rare complication called acute fatty liver of pregnancy, which is characterized by the accumulation of fat in liver cells and structural changes in the liver. The cause of acute fatty liver of pregnancy is not clear, although this complication has not been reported to recur in subsequent pregnancies. A case is described of a 37-year-old woman who developed a recurrence of acute fatty liver of pregnancy. At 30.5 weeks gestation, the patient had symptoms of fever, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain above the stomach, and decreased fetal movement. She noted that these symptoms were similar to those experienced during her previous pregnancy, which was complicated by acute fatty liver of pregnancy and fetal death. The patient underwent a cesarean section, and a female infant was successfully delivered. The mother was transferred to an intensive care unit, where she was treated with the drug hydralazine, and her abnormal levels of liver enzymes returned to normal within seven days after delivery. She was discharged on the eighth day after delivery. Her infant suffered respiratory and heart-related disorders due to premature birth, but was discharged 53 days after birth in good condition. The structural changes in liver cells associated with acute fatty liver of pregnancy are described. This case shows that acute fatty liver of pregnancy can recur. Early diagnosis and management of this complication improved the outcome for the mother and child. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Case studies, Abnormalities, Causes of, Fatty liver, Liver cells, Hepatocytes

---

Treatment in an obstetric intensive care unit

Article Abstract:

Should sick obstetric patients be transferred to another hospital ward or be kept under obstetric care? Each institution must provide its own answer, but for the E. H. Crump Women's Hospital and Perinatal Center in Memphis, the answer was to open a three-bed obstetric intensive care unit. Since its inception in 1986, the unit has provided benefits for both patients and staff. Perhaps the greatest advantage is that pregnant women needing intensive care can receive it while their personal obstetricians maintain close contact with them. In addition, care can be provided in an environment where the staff is knowledgeable about the special requirements of pregnant women. Except for trauma, neurological disorders, and conditions requiring more than five days of mechanical ventilation, the unit handles virtually all obstetric intensive care cases. Hypertensive disorders account for 46 percent of the cases, massive hemorrhage about 10 percent and various medical problems of pregnancy 44 percent. In three years, the unit has treated 200 patients. Another significant advantage of the unit is the training opportunity afforded the residents and maternal-fetal medicine fellows. Without the specialized unit, serious obstetric cases would be transferred elsewhere within the hospital where staff would not be able to provide the same quality of care in managing serious disorders in pregnant women. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Care and treatment, Management, Obstetrics, Maternal health services, Hospitals, Gynecologic and obstetric, Gynecologic and obstetric hospitals

---

Peripartum cardiomyopathy: a longitudinal echocardiographic study

Article Abstract:

Women with severe peripartum cardiomyopathy may be unlikely to improve, contrary to a 50% rate of disease resolution previously reported. Peripartum cardiomyopathy is heart disease with no known cause, developing in late pregnancy or within a few months of giving birth. Nine women with this diagnosis were followed using echocardiographic imaging. Of seven women with severe disease, none improved, and one worsened. One woman with mild disease recovered, and one was stable. No differences were seen in disease progression between those developing problems before or after giving birth.

Health aspects, Prognosis, Pregnant women, Cardiomyopathy, Myocardial diseases

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Predicting the appropriate use of carotid endarterectomy, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and coronary angiography
• Abstracts: The relation of aspirin use during the first trimester of pregnancy to congenital cardiac defects. Periconceptional folic acid exposure and risk of occurrent neural tube defects
• Abstracts: Home prothrombin time monitoring after the initiation of warfarin therapy: a randomized, prospective study. Temporary discontinuation of warfarin therapy: changes in the international normalized ratio
• Abstracts: Pelvic exenteration, University of Michigan: 100 patients at 5 years. The surgical management of recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva
• Abstracts: Energy cost of physical activity throughout pregnancy and the first year postpartum in Dutch women with sedentary lifestyles

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.