Brief Reports
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2005. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Aug 7, 2005; 11(29): 4600-4603
Published online Aug 7, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i29.4600
Clinical characteristics of fulminant hepatitis in pregnancy
Xiao-Mao Li, Lin Ma, Yue-Bo Yang, Zhong-Jie Shi, Shui-Sheng Zhou
Xiao-Mao Li, Lin Ma, Yue-Bo Yang, Zhong-Jie Shi, Shui-Sheng Zhou, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Professor Xiao-Mao Li, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China. tigerlee777@163.net
Telephone: +86-20-85515609 Fax: +86-20-87565575
Received: October 19, 2004
Revised: December 23, 2004
Accepted: December 26, 2004
Published online: August 7, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the clinical characteristics of fulminant hepatitis in pregnancy.

METHODS: We compared and analyzed the etiology, clinical characteristics, and laboratory examinations of 25 cases of fulminant hepatitis in pregnancy and 30 cases of fulminant hepatitis not in pregnancy.

RESULTS: HBV infection and chronic fulminant hepatitis were most common both in the pregnant and in the non-pregnant groups. Jaundice, digestive tract symptoms, increase of bilirubin and thrombinogen activity were the main manifestations. The incidence of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and hepato-renal syndrome (HRS) was significantly different between the two groups. The incidence of preterm labor, dead fetus and neonatal asphyxia was high.

CONCLUSION: Fulminant hepatitis is likely to occur in late pregnancy with more severe complications, which significantly influences maternity, perinatal fetus, and newborn.

Keywords: Pregnancy, Fulminant hepatitis, Clinical characteristics