Liver disease associated with pregnancy

Pregnancy is associated with altered liver function, particularly in serum enzymes. Anabolic steroids are responsible to some degree in mediating the physiologic and biochemical changes that occur during an uncomplicated pregnancy. However, several liver disorders are unique to pregnancy and include intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, acute fatty liver of pregnancy, and hepatic dysfunction associated with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. It is imperative for the clinician to diagnose these liver disorders in a timely manner and to institute appropriate management as maternal and fetal outcome are affected in an adverse manner if these conditions are left untreated.