|Articles|August 19, 2013

Differential Diagnosis of Liver Disease in Pregnancy

Because pregnancy can alter results of standard liver tests, use of the gestational age of the pregnancy is the best guide to the differential diagnosis.

What is the best guide to the differential diagnosis of liver disease in a pregnant woman?

a. The aminotransferases (AST and ALT)
b. Total bilirubin
c. The gestational age of the pregnancy
d. Serum bile acid level

ANSWER: C

The cause of liver disease in pregnancy can be difficult to diagnose. Pregnancy causes few alterations in the results of standard liver tests. Use of the gestational age of the pregnancy is the best guide to the differential diagnosis.

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