Changes in liver functions tests during pregnancy

Abstract

Pregnancy is a normal physiological phenomenon associated with many physiological changes that assist the nurturing and survival of the fetus, liver function affected by these changes. A prospective study carried out to assess serum level of routine Liver Function Test (LFTs) which included Alb, T.S.B, S.ALT, S.AST, S.ALP and Prothrombin time in ninety pregnant women, thirty women in each trimester of pregnancy and thirty aged matched non pregnant women as a control group who attended to Al-Ramadi General Hospital for Maternity and Children. The results were as follows: S. Alb and T.S.B levels were significantly lower (P<0.001) during all three trimesters as compared to controls. S.ALP activity was significantly higher in third and second trimester (P<0.001) than in controls. SALT activity was significantly higher (P≤0.05) in third trimester than in controls. While serum AST activity and prothrombin time did not give significant differences between pregnant and non-pregnant women

Keywords

• pregnancy
• physiological changes
• liver function
• enzymes
• bilirubin