Maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity from acute fatty liver of pregnancy in the Netherlands

ObjectiveTo assess maternal death and severe maternal morbidity from acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) in the Netherlands.Study designA retrospective study of all cases of maternal mortality in the Netherlands between 1983 and 2006 and all cases of severe maternal morbidity in the Netherlands between 2004 and 2006, in which all 98 maternity units in the Netherlands participated. Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and incidence of severe maternal morbidity were the main outcome measures.ResultsThe MMR from direct maternal mortality from AFLP was 0.13 per 100,000 live births (95% CI 0.05–0.29). The incidence of severe maternal morbidity from AFLP was 3.2 per 100,000 deliveries (95% CI 1.8–5.7).ConclusionsAFLP is a rare condition which still causes severe maternal morbidity and in some cases mortality. Referral to a tertiary care hospital for treatment of this uncommon disease should be considered.