[Acute fatty liver of pregnancy. Diagnostic value of hyperuricemia in the pre-jaundice stage].

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy, with a case history where an early diagnosis could have been made, and a review of the French literature. Acute fatty liver of pregnancy, or Sheehan's syndrome is a rare but very serious complication of pregnancy. The disease is demonstrated by vomiting, abdominal pain and a high level of uric acid in the blood before jaundice is noted. Within a few days the triad of jaundice, pruritus and encephalopathy occur. These are often associated with toxaemia of pregnancy and with polyuria and polydipsia. A raised white blood count and a high level of bilirubinemia are almost always present. The outlook is very serious when haemorrhage appears. This malignant form of the disease is characterised by liver and kidney failure. Liver biopsy confirms the diagnosis. The prognosis is related to an early diagnosis and is good when labour is induced or caesarean section performed. Acute fatty liver of pregnancy is an emergency from the diagnostic as well as the therapeutic angles.