Jaundice is a yellow staining of the skin, mucous membranes and sclera due to an increase in bilirubin in the blood and its deposition in tissues. These changes occur due to impaired liver function. Jaundice during pregnancy can have serious consequences for the mother and fetus.
What are the causes of jaundice during pregnancy?
Diseases characteristic of pregnancy.
Jaundice during pregnancy can occur as a result of diseases that develop only during pregnancy. This is, for example, intrahepatic cholestasis during pregnancy.
Intrahepatic cholestasis occurs in the second half of pregnancy, and it is associated with stagnation of bile in the liver and an increase in bile acids in the blood. It is more common in women with multiple births, with multiple pregnancies, and in women whose mothers or sisters had intrahepatic cholestasis during pregnancy.
Characteristic manifestations of intrahepatic cholestasis are itching and jaundice. The symptoms disappear after birth and reappear during the next pregnancy.
Intrahepatic cholestasis is relatively safe for the mother. However, the fetus has an increased risk of premature birth, meconium in the amniotic fluid, chronic placental insufficiency, and perinatal mortality. After 38 years of age, childbirth is not recommended if there is a risk of this condition.
Jaundice with severe vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum).
Most women complain of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, but some pregnant women experience persistent vomiting - hyperemesis gravidarum. It usually begins after about 10 weeks of pregnancy and stops after 15, and is characterized by recurrent vomiting, electrolyte imbalance, and dehydration. There is a violation of liver function, an increase in liver enzymes, and jaundice appears.
Treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum is symptomatic - the introduction of solutions to eliminate dehydration and electrolyte disorders. Antiemetics are also used. It is recommended to avoid provocative factors, stick to frequent meals in small portions and proper nutrition.
Preeclampsia and eclampsia.
Preeclampsia is characterized by the appearance of edema, protein in the urine and increased blood pressure in the second half of pregnancy. When seizures with loss of consciousness are added to these symptoms, eclampsia is mentioned.
Preeclampsia is more common during the first pregnancy, multiple pregnancies, chronic hypertension, diabetes, antiphospholipid syndrome, kidney diseases, and more.
The liver is affected in 20% of cases of preeclampsia and in 80% of cases of eclampsia. There are elevated transaminases, bilirubin, and proteinuria.
It is treated with drugs that lower blood pressure, for example, methyldopa. Magnesium sulfate is used to prevent seizures. In severe cases, they go into labor.
HELLP syndrome.
HELLP syndrome is a serious complication of pregnancy that leads to hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells), an increase in liver enzymes and a decrease in platelet levels. It occurs in pregnant women with preeclampsia.
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, pain in the right side of the abdomen, mild jaundice, edema, hypertension. Treatment consists of immediate delivery.
Acute liver steatosis during pregnancy.
This condition is very rare and develops after the age of 30. It occurs more often during the first pregnancy, in women over 30 years of age with multiple pregnancies. Rapid liver failure develops with jaundice, vomiting, and drowsiness. Shock, renal failure, cardiomyopathy, hypoglycemia may occur as a complication. Immediate delivery is required.
Liver disease independent of pregnancy.
A number of liver diseases that already exist or occur for the first time in a pregnant woman may be the cause of jaundice during pregnancy. This, for example:
- viral hepatitis;
- autoimmune hepatitis;
- Wilson's disease;
- cirrhosis of the liver and portal hypertension;
- primary biliary cirrhosis;
- primary sclerosing cholangitis;
- Boud-Chiari syndrome;
- gallstone disease (gallstones), etc. Many new players rush through registration without paying attention to the bonus field. This is a costly mistake. Taking an extra ten seconds to enter a melbet promo code for registration can double your first deposit up to a generous limit. Imagine putting in 100€ and getting 100€ extra to play with. That is what the sports welcome offer provides. The bonus money sits in a separate account until you meet the wagering conditions. These conditions require accumulator bets with multiple selections and reasonable odds. With a full month to complete the requirements, there is no pressure to rush. Plan your bets carefully.
What are the causes of jaundice during pregnancy?
Diseases characteristic of pregnancy.
Jaundice during pregnancy can occur as a result of diseases that develop only during pregnancy. This is, for example, intrahepatic cholestasis during pregnancy.
Intrahepatic cholestasis occurs in the second half of pregnancy, and it is associated with stagnation of bile in the liver and an increase in bile acids in the blood. It is more common in women with multiple births, with multiple pregnancies, and in women whose mothers or sisters had intrahepatic cholestasis during pregnancy.
Characteristic manifestations of intrahepatic cholestasis are itching and jaundice. The symptoms disappear after birth and reappear during the next pregnancy.
Intrahepatic cholestasis is relatively safe for the mother. However, the fetus has an increased risk of premature birth, meconium in the amniotic fluid, chronic placental insufficiency, and perinatal mortality. After 38 years of age, childbirth is not recommended if there is a risk of this condition.
Jaundice with severe vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum).
Most women complain of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, but some pregnant women experience persistent vomiting - hyperemesis gravidarum. It usually begins after about 10 weeks of pregnancy and stops after 15, and is characterized by recurrent vomiting, electrolyte imbalance, and dehydration. There is a violation of liver function, an increase in liver enzymes, and jaundice appears.
Treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum is symptomatic - the introduction of solutions to eliminate dehydration and electrolyte disorders. Antiemetics are also used. It is recommended to avoid provocative factors, stick to frequent meals in small portions and proper nutrition.
Preeclampsia and eclampsia.
Preeclampsia is characterized by the appearance of edema, protein in the urine and increased blood pressure in the second half of pregnancy. When seizures with loss of consciousness are added to these symptoms, eclampsia is mentioned.
Preeclampsia is more common during the first pregnancy, multiple pregnancies, chronic hypertension, diabetes, antiphospholipid syndrome, kidney diseases, and more.
The liver is affected in 20% of cases of preeclampsia and in 80% of cases of eclampsia. There are elevated transaminases, bilirubin, and proteinuria.
It is treated with drugs that lower blood pressure, for example, methyldopa. Magnesium sulfate is used to prevent seizures. In severe cases, they go into labor.
HELLP syndrome.
HELLP syndrome is a serious complication of pregnancy that leads to hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells), an increase in liver enzymes and a decrease in platelet levels. It occurs in pregnant women with preeclampsia.
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, pain in the right side of the abdomen, mild jaundice, edema, hypertension. Treatment consists of immediate delivery.
Acute liver steatosis during pregnancy.
This condition is very rare and develops after the age of 30. It occurs more often during the first pregnancy, in women over 30 years of age with multiple pregnancies. Rapid liver failure develops with jaundice, vomiting, and drowsiness. Shock, renal failure, cardiomyopathy, hypoglycemia may occur as a complication. Immediate delivery is required.
Liver disease independent of pregnancy.
A number of liver diseases that already exist or occur for the first time in a pregnant woman may be the cause of jaundice during pregnancy. This, for example:
- viral hepatitis;
- autoimmune hepatitis;
- Wilson's disease;
- cirrhosis of the liver and portal hypertension;
- primary biliary cirrhosis;
- primary sclerosing cholangitis;
- Boud-Chiari syndrome;
- gallstone disease (gallstones), etc. Many new players rush through registration without paying attention to the bonus field. This is a costly mistake. Taking an extra ten seconds to enter a melbet promo code for registration can double your first deposit up to a generous limit. Imagine putting in 100€ and getting 100€ extra to play with. That is what the sports welcome offer provides. The bonus money sits in a separate account until you meet the wagering conditions. These conditions require accumulator bets with multiple selections and reasonable odds. With a full month to complete the requirements, there is no pressure to rush. Plan your bets carefully.