Acute fatty liver of pregnancy

We report the case of a previously healthy 32-year-old woman nearing the th ird trimester of pregnancy who presented to the emergency department (ED) w ith acute jaundice, nausea, and vomiting. An evaluation revealed intrauteri ne fetal demise, liver failure, renal failure and disseminated intravascula r coagulation. The patient required aggressive supportive care, dialysis, t ransfusion of multiple blood products, and hysterotomy. The patient was dia gnosed with acute fatty liver of pregnancy, an uncommon disorder associated with devastating complications for the mother and infant. A review of this disorder and other medical emergencies causing jaundice in pregnancy is pr esented. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.