To analyze the characteristics, diagnosis and prognosis of acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP), and to guide the management of AFLP patients.

The clinical data of 34 AFLP patients admitted to Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2009 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The general situation, diagnostic characteristics, treatment and maternal and neonatal prognosis of the AFLP patients were collected and analyzed.

The incidence of AFLP in our hospital was 0.022% (34/152 383). The age of onset was (30.6±4.9) years old, and the gestational age was (35.3±2.4) weeks. Most of the first symptom was gastrointestinal symptoms of unknown cause in the third trimester of pregnancy (53%, 18/34), accompanied by different degrees of elevated liver enzymes. Cesarean section was performed in 97% (33/34) of patients for termination of pregnancy. Only one pregnant woman was diagnosed prenatal and delivered vaginally, and the prognosis of both mother and infant was good. Five cases were transferred to intensive care unit, including 2 cases of acute renal failure, 1 case of gastrointestinal bleeding and 2 cases of disseminated intravascular coagulation. There was no maternal death. Severe asphyxia occurred in 2 neonates.

Attention should be paid to the digestive tract symptoms during the third trimester of pregnancy and the diversity of clinical manifestations of AFLP for early detection. Once AFLP is diagnosed, pregnancy should be terminated as soon as possible to improve maternal and infant outcomes.

Pregnancy complications; Fatty liver; Acute disease; Pregnancy outcome