What is acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP)?
accumulates in the liver in the form of triglycerides and fatty acids, but excessive fat can cause liver damage. AFLP is quite rare, however, it is a serious condition that cannot be predicted or prevented. The cause of AFLP is unknown. It is thought that hormones of pregnancy play a role in this condition, but there does not seem to be an increased risk for future pregnancies. AFLP usually begins late in the third trimester of pregnancy. The following are the most common symptoms of AFLP. However, each woman may experience symptoms differently. AFLP causes nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain especially in the upper abdomen (epigastrium), jaundice (yellowing), frequent thirst (polydipsia) and increased urination (polyuria), fatigue, headache, and altered mental state. Usually, the symptoms of AFLP are often clear enough to diagnose the condition. Laboratory features of AFLP include profoundly low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), elevated liver enzymes (eg, serum transaminase activity) and l
