Liver and Gastrointestinal Disorders During Pregnancy

Abstract

Liver and gastrointestinal disorders during pregnancy include disorders that are unique to pregnancy and other disorders that arise during pregnancy but are not unique to pregnancy. Disorders that are unique to pregnancy include hyperemesis gravidarum, pre-eclampsia, intrahepatic cholestasis and acute fatty liver of pregnancy. Surgical involvement is more likely with disorders that complicate pregnancy, such as difficult gastro-esophageal reflux disease, constipation, hemorrhoidal disease, liver disease and gallstone disease. The latter, in particular, can raise the issue of surgical versus conservative management, but guidelines have been developed that appear to minimise maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.