The İmpact of Elevated Liver Enzymes and İntrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy on the Course of COVID-19 in Pregnant Women

The impact of acute and prior SARS-CoV-2 infection on maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women: a single-center retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in pregnant women have an adverse impact on perinatal outcomes, including cesarean section, preterm birth, fetal distress. However, it's uncertain whether these adverse consequences are caused by previous SARS-COV-2 infection during pregnancy or acute infection at the time of delivery.

METHODS

We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study among pregnant women with singleton pregnancy who delivered between 1 December 2022 and 1 February 2023 (n = 2472). Pregnancies were divided into three groups: non-infected group, acute SARS-CoV-2 infection group, prior SARS-CoV-2 infection group based on PCR or antigen test. The clinical data for mothers and neonates came from medical records on internal healthcare system. Follow-up time spanned from admission to discharge. We investigated the impact of acute and prior SARS-CoV-2 infection on maternal and neonatal outcome. Multivariable logistic models were used to assess the risk of adverse perinatal outcome in pregnant women with acute and prior SARS-CoV-2 infection.

RESULTS

Compared to the non-infected pregnant women, acute SARS-CoV-2 infected pregnant women had significant higher rates of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) (26 women [4.4%] vs. 8 women [1.0%]; aOR, 4.9 [95% CI, 2.2-11.0]; P < 0.001), preterm birth (<37 wk) (53women [9.0%] vs. 45 women [5.7%]; aOR, 1.7 [95% CI, 1.1-2.7]; P < 0.05), fetal distress(106 women [18.1%] vs. 82 women [10.4%]; aOR,1.9 [95% CI, 1.4-2.6]; P < 0.01), primary cesarean delivery (216 women [36.9%] vs. 239women [30.3%]; aOR, 1.4[95% CI, 1.1-1.8]; P < 0.01) and neonatal unit admission (69 neonates [12%] vs. 64 neonates [8.3%]; aOR, 1.6 [95% CI, 1.1-2.3]; P < 0.05), prior SARS-CoV-2 infection were associated with an increased risk of ICP (40 women [3.7%] vs. 8 women [1.0%]; aOR, 3.9 [95% CI, 1.8-8.5]; P <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnant women at delivery with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection were associated with higher risk of ICP, preterm birth, fetal distress, primary cesarean delivery and neonatal unit admission. Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy was associated with higher risk ICP. These findings emphasize the need for optimization of strategies for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women, especially for acute infection at delivery.

Outcomes of liver diseases in pregnant females: A study from a tertiary care medical center in Pakistan

Objective

To determine the etiologies and outcomes of liver disease in pregnancy in a developing country.

Method

A total of 336 consecutive pregnant women with liver disease were included in this prospective cohort study conducted at the Department of Gastroenterology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi from August 2019 to August 2021. Patients' baseline demographic, clinical, and laboratory data and outcomes were collected on a pre-designed questionnaire.

Results

Among all the pregnant females, the most common liver disease was acute hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection (37.2%), followed by preeclampsia (PEC)/eclampsia (EC), hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes & low platelets (HELLP) syndrome, and hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). The most common maternal complications were fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) in 14.9% and placental abruption in 11.0%. Fetal complications included intrauterine death (IUD) in 20.8% and preterm birth in 8.6%. The maternal and neonatal mortality rates were 11.6% and 39.6%, respectively. Among the predictors, low maternal weight, low body mass index (BMI), and low hemoglobin (Hb) were associated with increased maternal mortality. Low fetal weight, height, maternal systolic blood pressure (SBP), and low maternal Hb were independent predictors of fetal mortality.

Conclusion

In our cohort of pregnant females in a tertiary care medical center, acute HEV was the most common liver disease, followed by PEC/EC, HELLP, and HG. Maternal and fetal deaths were alarming in this group of patients and demanded careful management.

COVID-19 and liver injury: Pathophysiology, risk factors, outcome and management in special populations

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 is an ongoing health concern. In addition to affecting the respiratory system, COVID-19 can potentially damage other systems in the body, leading to extra-pulmonary manifestations. Hepatic manifestations are among the common consequences of COVID-19. Although the precise mechanism of liver injury is still questionable, several mechanisms have been hypothesized, including direct viral effect, cytokine storm, hypoxic-ischemic injury, hypoxia-reperfusion injury, ferroptosis, and hepatotoxic medications. Risk factors of COVID-19-induced liver injury include severe COVID-19 infection, male gender, advanced age, obesity, and underlying diseases. The presentations of liver involvement comprise abnormalities in liver enzymes and radiologic findings, which can be utilized to predict the prognosis. Increased gamma-glutamyltransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels with hypoalbuminemia can indicate severe liver injury and anticipate the need for intensive care units’ hospitalization. In imaging, a lower liver-to-spleen ratio and liver computed tomography attenuation may indicate a more severe illness. Furthermore, chronic liver disease patients are at a higher risk for severe disease and death from COVID-19. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease had the highest risk of advanced COVID-19 disease and death, followed by metabolic-associated fatty liver disease and cirrhosis. In addition to COVID-19-induced liver injury, the pandemic has also altered the epidemiology and pattern of some hepatic diseases, such as alcoholic liver disease and hepatitis B. Therefore, it warrants special vigilance and awareness by healthcare professionals to screen and treat COVID-19-associated liver injury accordingly.