[Autoimmune hepatitis during pregnancy].
BACKGROUND
Autoimmune hepatitis is a rare chronic disease that mainly affects young women and may influence fertility and pregnancy in these patients.


OBJECTIVE
To describe pregnancy and labor in a patient suffering from autoimmune hepatitis and to review the relevant literature.


METHODS
Computerized literature research.


RESULTS
The disease of 9 years' duration did not relapse during pregnancy under continuous treatment with steroids, cytotoxic drugs, ursodeoxycholic acid and vitamins. Pregnancy was uneventful and ended with preterm vaginal delivery at 35 weeks, of a 2299 gram healthy neonate. The patient did well during the postpartum period and 6 months thereafter. Since there is no single diagnostic test for the disease, the diagnosis is based on the combination of clinical, laboratory, and histopathological findings and by exclusion of other causes of hepatitis.


CONCLUSIONS
There is paucity of data in the literature on pregnancy in these patients but the treatment protocols seem to be effective for the mother and safe for the fetus. Maternal and fetal complications rates appear to be currently lower than in the past. Given that relapse cannot be predicted, close surveillance during pregnancy is warranted.
Kruchkovich
Jenya
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaplan Medical Center, Rchovot, Israel.
Blickstein
Isaac
I
D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019819:Budesonide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001323:Autoantibodies; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D019819:Budesonide; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid; D001379:Azathioprine