Publication:

Clinical profile and fetal outcomes of liver disorders in pregnancy: a one-year retrospective study at a tertiary care centre

Background Liver disorders in pregnancy are associated with significant maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The spectrum includes pregnancy-specific conditions such as HELLP syndrome and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (IHCP), as well as coincidental hepatic diseases including viral hepatitis. Early diagnosis and timely management are critical for improving outcomes in affected mothers and neonates.

Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College and Hospital, Jhansi, from February 2025 to February 2026. A total of 200 pregnant women diagnosed with liver disorders were included. Data were collected from hospital records and analysed using the chi-square test with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results HELLP syndrome was the most common disorder (61%), followed by viral hepatitis (23%) and IHCP (16%). The mean patient age was 26.4±4.2 years. Intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) was significantly higher in IHCP (21.9%) compared to HELLP (13.9%) and hepatitis (10.9%) (p=0.04). Preterm delivery (45.9%, p=0.01) and NICU admissions (51.6%, p=0.03) were significantly higher in HELLP syndrome. The difference in caesarean section rates across groups was not statistically significant (p=0.18).

Conclusions HELLP syndrome is associated with significant maternal and neonatal morbidity, while IHCP demonstrates disproportionately higher fetal mortality despite lower prevalence. Viral hepatitis remains a clinically significant coincidental disorder. Early identification, multidisciplinary management, and timely obstetric intervention are essential to reduce adverse fetomaternal outcomes in pregnant women with liver disorders.