S5868 Idiosyncratic Drug-Induced Liver Injury From Labetalol in a Pregnant Patient

Introduction: Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) during pregnancy can be a challenging diagnosis. Pre-existing liver disease increases the risk of developing DILI. We present the case of a 35-year-old pregnant patient who developed rare DILI secondary to labetalol, where prompt recognition and management resulted in complete recovery with positive outcome. Case Description/Methods: A 35-year-old patient with obesity, hepatic steatosis, and unprovoked deep vein thrombosis 3 years prior presented at 30 weeks of gestational age to the hospital with a one-day history of right-sided abdominal pain. Her medications included prenatal vitamins, progesterone vaginal cream, and a new prescription of labetalol 200 mg twice a day for palpitations 3 months prior. The patient had stable vital signs with reassuring fetal tracings. Initial laboratory analysis revealed a new hepatocellular liver injury, with aspartate aminotransferase 303 IU/L, alanine aminotransferase 573 IU/L, and normal alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels. Acetaminophen, recreational drugs, and herbal and dietary supplements were ruled out. Ultrasound with Doppler showed hepatic steatosis without biliary disease. Extensive serological testing was negative for infections and autoimmune liver disease. The stable clinical presentation and overall unremarkable laboratory work-up did not support a pregnancy-associated liver disease diagnosis. Labetalol was discontinued due to suspicion of DILI one day after her presentation. The patient’s transaminases continued to worsen over the next 48 hours after labetalol discontinuation, prompting further investigations. MRCP showed moderate steatosis. Liver biopsy 4 days after her presentation revealed steatohepatitis with resolving injury suggestive of DILI. After 48 hours of labetalol discontinuation and day 4 of presentation, transaminases peaked. The patient was diagnosed with DILI from labetalol and discharged on day 6 with gradually improving transaminases. The patient’s liver functions completely normalized 5 weeks after labetalol discontinuation. The patient had an uncomplicated delivery at 37 weeks of gestation with normal liver function. Discussion: DILI is an important differential diagnosis in pregnant patients with transaminitis, and a thorough work-up is necessary. Labetalol is a commonly used first-line medication for hypertension in pregnancy, with only a handful of cases of DILI from Labetalol in the literature. This case aims to highlight the importance of early recognition of DILI from labetalol use to prevent severe adverse outcomes.

Publication Details

Journal
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
Published
2025-10-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.14309/01.ajg.0001150932.02414.87
Primary Topic
Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Protection
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

S5868 Idiosyncratic Drug-Induced Liver Injury From Labetalol in a Pregnant Patient

The American Journal of Gastroenterology
Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Protection
article

S5868 Idiosyncratic Drug-Induced Liver Injury From Labetalol in a Pregnant Patient

article en

Abstract

Introduction: Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) during pregnancy can be a challenging diagnosis. Pre-existing liver disease increases the risk of developing DILI. We present the case of a 35-year-old pregnant patient who developed rare DILI secondary to labetalol, where prompt recognition and management resulted in complete recovery with positive outcome. Case Description/Methods: A 35-year-old patient with obesity, hepatic steatosis, and unprovoked deep vein thrombosis 3 years prior presented at 30 weeks of gestational age to the hospital with a one-day history of right-sided abdominal pain. Her medications included prenatal vitamins, progesterone vaginal cream, and a new prescription of labetalol 200 mg twice a day for palpitations 3 months prior. The patient had stable vital signs with reassuring fetal tracings. Initial laboratory analysis revealed a new hepatocellular liver injury, with aspartate aminotransferase 303 IU/L, alanine aminotransferase 573 IU/L, and normal alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels. Acetaminophen, recreational drugs, and herbal and dietary supplements were ruled out. Ultrasound with Doppler showed hepatic steatosis without biliary disease. Extensive serological testing was negative for infections and autoimmune liver disease. The stable clinical presentation and overall unremarkable laboratory work-up did not support a pregnancy-associated liver disease diagnosis. Labetalol was discontinued due to suspicion of DILI one day after her presentation. The patient’s transaminases continued to worsen over the next 48 hours after labetalol discontinuation, prompting further investigations. MRCP showed moderate steatosis. Liver biopsy 4 days after her presentation revealed steatohepatitis with resolving injury suggestive of DILI. After 48 hours of labetalol discontinuation and day 4 of presentation, transaminases peaked. The patient was diagnosed with DILI from labetalol and discharged on day 6 with gradually improving transaminases. The patient’s liver functions completely normalized 5 weeks after labetalol discontinuation. The patient had an uncomplicated delivery at 37 weeks of gestation with normal liver function. Discussion: DILI is an important differential diagnosis in pregnant patients with transaminitis, and a thorough work-up is necessary. Labetalol is a commonly used first-line medication for hypertension in pregnancy, with only a handful of cases of DILI from Labetalol in the literature. This case aims to highlight the importance of early recognition of DILI from labetalol use to prevent severe adverse outcomes.

The American Journal of GastroenterologyVol. 120(10S2)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 32%
Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Protection
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.