An approach to diagnosis and management of acute fatty liver of pregnancy

Abstract

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy is a rare life threatening cause of jaundice in the third trimester of pregnancy and early postpartum period and is associated with a poor outcome. The maternal and fetal outcome can be improved by a high index of suspicion, early diagnosis and prompt delivery. We report a case of a 30 year old parous lady with 36 weeks twin pregnancy with Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy [AFLP] and coagulation failure, she responded to prompt induction of labour and appropriate management of the coagulopathy and related complications. We provide a review of literature on jaundice in pregnancy and the clinical approach to management.