title: Caring for the woman with acute fatty liver of pregnancy.
abstract: Acute fatty liver of pregnancy, although rare, is usually a third trimester of pregnancy occurrence that may be life threatening for both the pregnant woman and the fetus. Often, the onset resembles gastroenteritis or cholecystitis and correct diagnosis is delayed. Because it can also present with preeclampsia and eclampsia, it may be mistakenly diagnosed as hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet syndrome. This article presents diagnostic differences between liver conditions that can complicate pregnancy and management strategies for treating and maintaining the well-being of pregnant women, fetuses, and infants who are affected by acute fatty liver of pregnancy. Early recognition and rapid intervention from antepartum diagnosis through delivery and the postpartum period are required by the nursing team and medical providers to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.
authors: Louise Herrington School of Nursing, Baylor University, 3700 Worth St, Dallas, TX 75246, USA. Karen_Holub@baylor.edu
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Holub
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Camune
mesh_terms: D057210:Delayed Diagnosis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019468:Disease Management; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D061345:Early Medical Intervention / Q000379:methods; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D017359:HELLP Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008111:Liver Function Tests / Q000379:methods; D063989:Long-Chain-3-Hydroxyacyl-CoA Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome
chemical_list: D063989:Long-Chain-3-Hydroxyacyl-CoA Dehydrogenase