Cirrhosis and pregnancy. A case report and review of the literature

A clinical case of a pregnant suffering from hepatic cirrhosis with ascites, splenomegaly and portal hypertension is described. The pregnancy carried on till the 31st week, even though with the repeated use of tocholytic agents. Cesarean section was performed because of the onset of serious jaundice and the decline of general maternal conditions. The infant, who had an Apgar score of 8 at the 1st and 5th minute, died on the 10th day because of accuse haemorrhagic interstitial pneumonitis in premature lungs and hepatopathy associated with widespread jaundice. The mother was discharged on the 25th day of the postpartum period, in light of the net improvement of her general metabolic condition, the sudden regression of the jaundice and the decrease of the cholestasis indices. A review of the literature discussing maternal complications fetal risks, management of pregnancy and delivery and outcome of the newborn are presented.