LIVER DISEASE IN PREGNANCY,WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE CHOLESTATIC SYNDROMES

This review is primarily concerned with the ætiology, pathology, clinical features, differential diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment of obstetric cholestasis and pruritus of pregnancy. The exact mechanism of the pruritus, jaundice and deranged biochemical state in these disorders is discussed in the light of advances in our understanding of bile salt metabolism and a recent and more acceptable concept of the pathogenesis of cholestasis. The incidence, ætiology and clinical features of cholestasis following oral contraceptives are outlined in detail, and the relationship of these changes to the cholestatic syndrome in the third trimester is discussed. Other hepatic disorders which appear to be related to pregnancy are also briefly reviewed. Biochemical derangements of hepatic function in pregnant women without underlying hepatic disease are considered in detail.