Improvement of autoimmune hepatitis during pregnancy followed by flare-up after delivery.
OBJECTIVE
Pregnancy in autoimmune hepatitis has been a rare event, but it has become more frequent with improved therapy. The present study aimed to analyze the consequences for mother and child in patients with autoimmune hepatitis.


METHODS
Fourteen pregnancies have been followed in five patients with autoimmune chronic hepatitis (AIH) and in one with autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (overlap AIH-PSC).


RESULTS
Features of AIH improved markedly from the second trimester of pregnancy onward, allowing a decrease in immunosuppressive therapy. After delivery (or stillbirth in one patient), the activity of the autoimmune disease flared up rapidly in 12 of 14 events.


CONCLUSIONS
Pregnancy induces a state of immune tolerance with improvement of the liver tests in AIH. This could result from a transition of TH1 to TH2 predominance during pregnancy. A flare-up often occurs after delivery. Preemptive increase of the immunosuppressive therapy is therefore advocated consecutive to delivery. Azathioprine use seems to be safe during pregnancy.
Buchel
Elwin
E
Divison of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Diseases, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
Van Steenbergen
Werner
W
Nevens
Frederik
F
Fevery
Johan
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015209:Cholangitis, Sclerosing / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000503:physiopathology*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents