[Autoimmune hepatitis during pregnancy].

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune hepatitis is a rare chronic disease that mainly affects young women and may influence fertility and pregnancy in these patients.

OBJECTIVES

To describe pregnancy and labor in a patient suffering from autoimmune hepatitis and to review the relevant literature.

METHODS

Computerized literature research.

RESULTS

The disease of 9 years' duration did not relapse during pregnancy under continuous treatment with steroids, cytotoxic drugs, ursodeoxycholic acid and vitamins. Pregnancy was uneventful and ended with preterm vaginal delivery at 35 weeks, of a 2299 gram healthy neonate. The patient did well during the postpartum period and 6 months thereafter. Since there is no single diagnostic test for the disease, the diagnosis is based on the combination of clinical, laboratory, and histopathological findings and by exclusion of other causes of hepatitis.

CONCLUSIONS

There is paucity of data in the literature on pregnancy in these patients but the treatment protocols seem to be effective for the mother and safe for the fetus. Maternal and fetal complications rates appear to be currently lower than in the past. Given that relapse cannot be predicted, close surveillance during pregnancy is warranted.