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Abstract
Background: Jaundice is extremely rare in pregnancy and can cause maternal and fetal complications, but it is potentially fatal. Some liver diseases that develop during pregnancy may be pregnancy-related or unrelated to pregnancy and, if not diagnosed and treated early, can have a negative impact on the outcome.
Objective: To find the etiology of Jaundice in pregnant women who visited Gynecology Ward, Civil Hospital Karachi, and fetomaternal outcomes of these pregnant women.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Civil Hospital Karachi, for Three months from March 2025 to May 2025. The non-probability consecutive sampling technique was used to select a total of 119 pregnant women who were diagnosed with jaundice. A structured proforma was used to collect data, including information regarding demographics, etiology, clinical presentation, liver function tests, maternal complications, and fetal outcomes. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.
Results: The majority of the participants were in the third trimester of pregnancy (12-13 months), and their age range was 26-30 years. Viral hepatitis, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, and HELLP syndrome were the most common causes of jaundice. Postpartum hemorrhage, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and admission to the ICU were observed as the common complications of the mother. Low birth weight, NICU admission, fetal distress, and intrauterine fetal death were the morbidities associated with adverse fetal outcome. The morbidities related to the poor fetal outcomes were low birth weight, NICU admission, fetal distress, and intrauterine fetal death.
Conclusion: The morbidity and mortality of the diseases associated with jaundice are high during pregnancy. Improved maternal and neonatal outcomes will only be achieved through early diagnosis, early referral, regular antenatal care, and multidisciplinary management.