Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension in pregnancy

Objective: To study the outcome of pregnancy in women with non-cirrhotic po rtal hypertension (NCPH). Method: A retrospective analysis of 50 pregnancie s in 27 women with NCPH was carried out. Pregnancy outcome was compared in extra hepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO) and non-cirrhotic portal fibr osis (NCPF). Results: The mean maternal age was 24.60 +/- 2.857 years, and the disease was diagnosed during pregnancy in 15 (55.6%) patients. Variceal bleeding occurred in 17/50 (34%) pregnancies and the majority (88.2%) of t hem responded to endoscopic sclerotherapy. Incidence of variceal bleeding d uring pregnancy was lower in pregnancies where the disease was diagnosed pr ior to pregnancy (8.6%), and it was 43.5% in EHPVO and 25.9% in NCPF. The m ean birth weight of the neonates was 2668.4 +/- 427.42 g, and the incidence of abortion, prematurity, small for gestational age babies and perinatal d eath was 20, 17.5, 12.5 and 20%, respectively. Variceal bleeding during pre gnancy was associated with a higher incidence of abortion (29.4%) and perin atal death (33.3%). Conclusion: Variceal bleeding is the most common compli cation in pregnancies with NCPH. Pregnancies can be allowed and managed suc cessfully in patients with NCPH. (C) 2001 International Federation of Gynec ology and Obstetrics. All rights reserved.