A study on jaundice in pregnancy and its impact on maternal and perinatal outcomes in a tertiary care hospital, Bhavnagar

Background: Jaundice during pregnancy is a significant clinical condition that affects 3-5% of pregnancies and represents an important cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. With viral hepatitis being the predominant cause in developing countries, comprehensive studies examining outcomes in tertiary care settings are essential for evidence-based management strategies. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at Government Medical College, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, and data taken from April 2022 to April 2023. Fifty antenatal patients with clinical and laboratory evidence of jaundice (serum bilirubin >1.2 mg/dl, liver transaminases >45 IU/l) were enrolled using purposive sampling. Detailed clinical assessment, laboratory investigations including liver function tests, viral serology, and coagulation profiles were performed. Maternal and perinatal outcomes were systematically recorded and analysed. Results: The study population predominantly comprised women aged 21-29 years (72%) with 56% being primigravida. Viral hepatitis was the leading cause (60%), followed by preeclampsia with HELLP syndrome (32%). Maternal complications included preterm delivery in 54% of cases, with coagulopathy present in 24% and thrombocytopenia in 42%. Neonatal outcomes revealed concerning statistics with 62% low birth weight babies and 18% early neonatal mortality, primarily due to pneumonia (8%) and intrauterine growth restriction (4%). Conclusions: Jaundice in pregnancy significantly impacts maternal and perinatal outcomes in our tertiary care setting. The high rates of preterm delivery, low birth weight, and neonatal mortality emphasize the critical need for enhanced antenatal surveillance, early detection protocols, and preventive strategies including hepatitis vaccination programs to reduce associated morbidity and mortality.