Surveillance of acute fatty liver of pregnancy

Summary

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a rare but potentially lethal condition of late pregnancy which may be part of a spectrum of disorders related to pre-eclampsia. It remains an important cause of maternal mortality. However, the existing literature consists predominantly of small hospital-based case series or historical cohorts identified retrospectively over a number of years. This study identified a population-based cohort of 57 women with AFLP over 19 months using the UK Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS). The incidence estimate from this study is lower than documented by earlier hospital-based studies, but maternal and neonatal outcomes are better than previously reported, possibly related to improved ascertainment. Women with twin pregnancies appear to be at higher risk, but further studies are needed to investigate the risk associated with low BMI.