Liver and endocrine diseases in pregnancy

Abstract

Liver and endocrine diseases are sufficiently common in pregnancy that the majority of obstetricians will manage them regularly. They range from common disorders such as autoimmune hypothyroidism to rare diseases such as acute fatty liver of pregnancy. The liver and endocrine glands play important roles in homeostasis and metabolism, and abnormalities in their functioning can result in adverse outcomes for pregnant women and their children. This chapter describes the presentation and management of pregnancy-specific disorders of the liver and endocrine glands, and also focuses on the commoner disorders of these organs that can occur in women of reproductive age, and therefore which may also have an impact on pregnancy.