Increased Bilirubin During Pregnancy

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Increased bilirubin during pregnancy

Bilirubin is an unusual pigment of an interesting yellow-green color, which is always found in blood serum and always in bile. It is formed as a result of the inevitable breakdown of hemoglobin. In most cases, pregnancy itself does not in any way affect the decrease or increase in bilirubin, usually the indicators of this pigment remain normal.

It happens that increased bilirubin in expectant mothers is observed with intrahepatic cholestasis, when the outflow of bile from the liver is significantly impaired. With hemolytic anemia, cholecystitis and viral hepatitis, some disturbances in pigment concentration are also possible. An increased level of bilirubin in a pregnant woman always requires a full examination. After finding out all the reasons for the change in indicators, the doctor prescribes treatment.

An increase in the level can be caused by the destruction of red blood cells, in other words, hemolysis. After identifying the causes of hemolysis, it will be possible to determine the influencing factor. With various liver diseases, such a change in the level of bilirubin is always considered only a kind of clinical symptom. In order for the amount of this pigment to return to normal, it is necessary to eliminate the stagnation of bile, which provokes an increase in the content of bilirubin.

It should be noted that similar destruction of erythrocytes in newborns is of a different nature. Usually, so-called jaundice in infants does not require treatment. This is due to the fact that in the womb, the child produces hemoglobin that is different from the hemoglobin of an adult. It is the increased destruction of red blood cells in newborns that causes a darker yellowish skin tone. In this case, the indicators can reach 256 μmol / l. Which is completely uncommon for pregnant women.

Today, with certain symptoms, it is not difficult to determine the level of bilirubin in the expectant mother. A biochemical blood test allows you to detect this pigment and establish its amount.

How dangerous is elevated bilirubin during pregnancy?

If, before conception, a woman led a healthy lifestyle, then a slight increase in bilirubin does not pose any danger to her health and fetus. Often, a change in test results causes fear in expectant mothers, which leads to stress. It is mother's stress that is dangerous for the proper development of the baby. Severely elevated levels of a pigment such as bilirubin in the blood can be a serious pathology that leads to jaundice. The causes of such conditions are often various liver diseases. But it should be noted that high rates are very rare and all women's fears are groundless.

After the birth of the child, the mother's bilirubin quickly returns to normal, while its slight increase does not in any way affect the intrauterine development of the child. after a thorough examination in case of violations of the concentration of bilirubin in the blood, it is possible to accurately determine their cause, and, if necessary, carry out the necessary treatment.

After conducting a biochemical analysis of the blood of a pregnant woman, it will be possible to establish a specific factor that provoked an increase in bilirubin. Improper preparation for analysis can significantly distort real results. Severe nervous tension, unhealthy diet and stress can alter the blood test results. As a result, the expectant mother begins to worry about the health of the child, thereby worsening the situation.

The growing fetus itself can provoke an increase in the mother's bilirubin in small quantities, and this is the norm. Due to excessive pressure on the liver, it is difficult for the outflow of bile, but this is not critical. In any case, bilirubin is easily processed by the liver, and then excreted through the biliary tract. Only when it is difficult to remove such toxic substances, in rare cases, there is a small accumulation of pigment in the body.

What to do if an increase in bilirubin is detected during pregnancy?

As soon as the immediate cause of this elevated blood bilirubin in a pregnant woman is identified, appropriate treatment should be initiated. If this pathology is caused by a typical destruction of red blood cells, then it is necessary to act only on the very cause of hemolysis.

With all kinds of liver diseases, even an insignificant change in the level of bilirubin always serves as a simple clinical symptom. With stagnation of bile, which causes an increase in bilirubin, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the immediate stagnation so that the indicators normalize.

If a pregnant woman is faced with this pathology, then it is recommended to refrain from uncontrolled intake of various pharmaceutical preparations. In this case, cleansing the liver is possible only after consultation with a highly qualified specialist. With proper nutrition, you can effectively normalize performance in a short time.

With insignificant changes in the indicators, you should not worry and carry out treatment. To exclude dangerous diseases, it is possible to conduct a modern ultrasound examination of the liver and necessarily the gallbladder. It should be noted that in hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver, bilirubin in the blood will be increased tenfold. It is strictly forbidden to starve and practice various mono-diets.

The author of the article: Lapikova Valentina Vladimirovna | Gynecologist, reproductologist

Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology received at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Healthcare and Social Development (2010). In 2013 completed postgraduate studies at N. N. N. I. Pirogova.