Jaundice among Pregnant Women in Alexandria – Egypt: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Objectives: To describe causes, sociodemographic characteristics, and prevalence of some factors that could participate in the occurrence of jaundice during pregnancy in Alexandria-Egypt. Methods: A descriptive study started January 2005 for one year duration, included 20 cases (all cases admitted to Alexandria Fever Hospital and Shatby University Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynecology with the clinical and laboratory diagnosis of jaundice). Questionnaire sheet administered through an interview with each patient includes demographic data, known risk factors, and medical history. Full clinical and obstetric examination was done, with an ultra-sound review, estimation of serum ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin (total and direct), and serological screening against virus hepatitis A, B, C and E. Results: Most cases (n=17) were admitted to the Fever Hospital. Of them; 11 cases (55%) were due to HAV infection, 5 cases resulted from other virus hepatitis. Remaining 4 cases were due to conditions related to pregnancy. Age between 20 and 30 represented 80% of cases. Low social score accounts for 70% of cases. Only 7 cases presented during the 1 st trimester. Most cases got no previous history of jaundice (95%); only 4 cases got family history of jaundice. The majority of cases (65%) reported one or more virus known hepatitis risk factors; suffers anaemia (55%), hepatomegaly (90%), and got abnormal levels in blood chemistry. Conclusions: The study is an update in current causes, demographic pattern, and risk factors associated with clinical jaundice during pregnancy. It documents that many factors are implicated in the causation of this relatively uncommon clinical condition.