The term “pregnancy-related jaundice” includes all conditions during pregnancy characterized by an abnormal increase in bilirubin levels in the blood, causing the skin and the whites of the eyes to develop a typical yellowish discoloration.
What Causes Jaundice During Pregnancy?
The causes of jaundice can be divided into the following main categories: conditions that already existed at the time of conception and become apparent during pregnancy due to external factors unrelated to pregnancy; and liver diseases caused or aggravated by pregnancy itself.
Among liver disorders triggered by pregnancy, the most common cause of jaundice is intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Its exact cause remains unclear, but it appears to be related to an increased genetic sensitivity to estrogen, the levels of which rise significantly during pregnancy.
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy occurs in approximately 0.8% to 1.5% of pregnant women and typically manifests during the second half of gestation. A characteristic symptom is severe itching, accompanied by jaundice in about 20% of cases.
Intrahepatic cholestasis is often a benign condition, may slightly increase the risk of gallstone formation, and usually resolves after delivery. However, it tends to recur in subsequent pregnancies or with the use of oral contraceptives. In addition, intrahepatic cholestasis increases the risk of preterm birth and fetal developmental abnormalities. Treatment is based on the use of ion-exchange resins, which inhibit the intestinal reabsorption of bile salts.
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that can potentially cause jaundice. It develops during the second half of pregnancy and is characterized by a significant increase in blood pressure and fluid retention, kidney damage with possible proteinuria and foamy urine, as well as anemia with a reduced number of circulating platelets.
Preeclampsia is a very serious condition for both the mother and the fetus and is associated with hyperbilirubinemia, sometimes accompanied by jaundice. The main symptoms include headache, visual disturbances, and abdominal discomfort. In rarer and more severe cases, seizures followed by loss of consciousness may occur.
Treatment of preeclampsia includes the use of antihypertensive and anticonvulsant medications and, when necessary, induction of labor once the fetus is considered sufficiently mature.
Acute fatty liver of pregnancy is another very serious complication. It is often associated with preeclampsia and occurs more frequently in multiple pregnancies. It typically develops during the final months of pregnancy and presents with symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, general malaise with flu-like symptoms, and loss of appetite.
Jaundice usually appears one to two weeks after the onset of these symptoms and may lead to liver failure. In such cases, prompt delivery remains the most effective treatment.
Other Causes of Jaundice During Pregnancy
Liver diseases not directly related to pregnancy include viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis, and hemolytic disorders.
A liver condition that is commonly aggravated by pregnancy is jaundice caused by gallstone disease due to the formation of small stones in the bile ducts. In addition to genetic predisposition, this phenomenon is promoted by elevated progesterone levels, which reduce the motility of the gallbladder and the gastrointestinal tract as a whole, while increased estrogen levels are associated with hypercholesterolemia.
The specialists at Bogolyuby Medical Center emphasize that regardless of whether jaundice is present, every expectant mother should remember the importance of a diet low in fried foods, animal fats, coffee, tea, and, of course, alcohol. Such dietary measures help reduce the burden on the liver throughout pregnancy. Pregnancy-related jaundice is an important warning sign that should never be ignored and requires immediate medical attention.
Number of views: 69
