Schweizerische Rundschau für Medizin Praxis = Revue suisse de médecine Praxis
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Severe liver disease complicates pregnancy in only 0.1% of the cases. Viral hepatitis is the most common cause (40%). (Liver cirrhosis usually results in amenorrhea). Liver disease unique to pregnancy comprises "intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy" (Increased fetal risk), "acute fatty liver of pregnancy" (AFLP) and "HELLP-syndrome", both with high maternal and fetal risk when untreated. ⋯ Imaging methods like ultrasound are invaluable in the differential diagnosis and detection of complications like subcapsular hematoma in the liver patients with HELLP-syndrome. Fulminant hepatic failure requires intensive care, liver transplantation is an additional therapeutic option. Recurrent AFLP has been reported recently.