Outcome of acute liver failure due to acute hepatitis E in pregnant women.

INTRODUCTION: Acute liver failure due to acute hepatitis E carries a high mortality. METHODS: Clinical and laboratory parameters of 42 pregnant women (median age 25.5 years) with acute liver failure due to acute hepatitis E were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: 22 women delivered, whereas pregnancy continued in 20 women. The maternal mortality in these two groups was similar (9/22 [41%] versus 14/20 [70%], p=0.056). However, in patients with grade I, II or III hepatic encephalopathy, delivery of fetus was associated with reduced mortality in those who delivered as against those who continued pregnancy (5/16 (31%) vs. 13/20 (65%), p=0.046). On multivariate analysis, higher grade of encephalopathy at admission was associated with risk of death (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: Mortality in pregnant women with acute liver failure with acute hepatitis E is high, especially in patients who present with higher grades of encephalopathy.