Liver Damage Caused From Having Children

Liver damage is a serious health condition that sometimes occurs as a result of having children. In most cases of liver damage, the condition is caused as a result of the pregnancy itself. Therefore, it is imperative that women who are at risk of liver disease maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle for the sake of their unborn baby as well as themselves.

• Liver damage caused by pregnancy.

How is Liver Damage Defined?

• Tennessee Oncology explains that liver damage is also referred to as "hepatotoxicity," which inhibits vital liver functions. Several blood tests can be given during pregnancy to see if liver damage has occurred such as, a bilirubin test that can determine healthy breakdown of red blood cells and a liver enzyme test that can detect high levels of liver cells in the blood.

HELLP Syndrome

• HELLP Syndrome is denoted by blood and liver abnormalities. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, HELLP is short for hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low blood platelets. Pregnant women who are diagnosed with HELLP Syndrome usually have protein in their urine and higher than normal blood pressure. Symptoms of HELLP Syndrome include abdominal pain, fatigue, nausea and vomiting as well as chronic headache. The condition is treated with corticosteroids during pregnancy, with symptoms usually resolving after delivery.

Acute Fatty Liver

• Acute fatty liver is another form of liver damage that occurs during pregnancy. The University of Virginia Health Systems reports that the condition is rare and when it occurs, it can be life-threatening. Acute fatty liver is caused by a dangerous increase in fat cells inside the liver, which usually causes nausea and vomiting, jaundice, abdominal pain and fatigue. Sometimes the liver damage can become so severe, blood transfusions are necessary. Acute fatty liver is another form of liver disease that results in the mother's full recovery after she gives birth.

Chronic Hepatitis

• Hepatitis A, B and C are all caused by a virus that causes dangerous inflammation of the liver. The Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research explains that the condition causes symptoms such as jaundice, low-grade fever, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Anti-virals cannot be used to treat hepatitis during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. Chronic hepatitis can result in severe health consequences and may even result in miscarriage. The liver damage caused by chronic hepatitis may continue after the pregnancy is over and is sometimes irreversible. Severe liver damage can lead to liver cancer in the future.

Liver Damage and the Unborn Baby

• In the book titled "Mayo Clinic Gastroenterology and Hepatology Board Review," author Stephen C. Hauser explains that when a diagnosis of HELLP Syndrome is confirmed, immediate delivery of the baby becomes necessary. HELLP Syndrome poses dangerous risks to the fetus such as placental abruption, a separation of the placenta from the uterine wall. In the case of acute fatty liver, the baby is also delivered as soon as possible in order to prevent organ failure and possible death to the mother and fetus. Hepatitis A poses no threat to the fetus but hepatitis B requires that a newborn infant be vaccinated within 12 hours of birth. Hepatitis C can be transmitted to the newborn at birth, although it is very rare.