The health status of a woman directly affects the course of pregnancy and the outcome of childbirth. Systematic analyzes and examinations throughout the entire period of gestation allow constant monitoring of the indicators, so that, if necessary, in a timely manner to respond to identified deviations from the norm. One of the methods for diagnosing a pregnant woman is a biochemical blood test. It is he who allows you to diagnose increased bilirubin during pregnancy. What does this indicator mean and what is its norm, we will tell in our article. Be sure to dwell on the reasons for its increase, symptoms and treatment methods.
What is bilirubin?
As a result of the natural breakdown of hemoglobin, the formation of the main bile pigment, which has the appearance of yellow-brown rhombic crystals, occurs. This is bilirubin. It is found in blood serum and bile. Almost 80% of this pigment is destroyed in the liver, and the remaining 20% - in other tissues and organs.
Bilirubin is bound (direct) and indirect. There is a significant difference between them. Together they make up total bilirubin. In blood tests, all three indicators are necessarily indicated, and not just one.
Direct bilirubin accounts for only 4% of the total. It is highly soluble in water, filtered by the kidneys and excreted in the urine.
Indirect bilirubin accounts for 96% of the total. It is insoluble in water, toxic to the body, can easily penetrate into cells and disrupt their vital functions. Usually during pregnancy, the level of bilirubin does not change in any way and remains within the standard values. The woman feels great and pregnancy proceeds without “surprises”. But sometimes deviations from the established norms are possible.
Causes of Elevated Bilirubin in Pregnancy
An increase in the concentration of bile pigment in the blood serum indicates pathological changes in the liver or in other organs and tissues. Deviation of bilirubin from the norm can be caused by both pregnancy and other diseases: These include:
- violation of the outflow of bile, as a result of which it enters not into the stomach, but into the blood;
- chronic and autoimmune hepatitis;
- cholelithiasis;
- toxic and medical hepatitis (poisoning with poisons or drugs, including hormonal ones);
- biliary cirrhosis;
- acute viral hepatitis;
- sluggish pathological processes in the liver.
The results of a biochemical blood test can show an increase in only indirect bilirubin. In particular, other types of studies are prescribed, for example, liver tests. A blood test is done both general and biochemical. Pathology may be associated with a violation of pigment processing or accelerated decay of red blood cells. Indirect bilirubin can be difficult to detect because it does not dissolve in water. The causes of its increase include various anemia (congenital, secondary, toxic, drug) and specific infections (malaria, sepsis and others).
It is important to diagnose elevated bilirubin during pregnancy in time. This will avoid complications and conduct competent treatment.
Most often, bilirubin rises for reasons not related to pregnancy. But sometimes an increase in the level of bile pigment should be sought precisely in the interesting position of the woman. These reasons include:
- severe toxicosis in the early stages;
- acute fatty degeneration of the liver;
- preeclampsia and eclampsia ;
- intrahepatic cholestasis;
- stagnation of bile as a result of strong fetal pressure on the liver.
Symptoms of Elevated Bilirubin
If an increase in the concentration of bile pigment is caused by pathological processes in the liver, this leads to yellowness of the skin and darkening of the urine. At the same time, bilirubin in the blood rises first. In urine, it can be detected only after a while.
If increased bilirubin during pregnancy is caused by a severe form of eclampsia, the level of bile pigment in the blood exceeds the norm by 5-6 times. In this case, a woman has symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain.
Diagnosed intrahepatic cholestasis is manifested by itching throughout the body and yellowness of the skin. Usually, this condition develops on the eve of childbirth as a response to an increase in the hormone estrogen and disappears on its own after the baby is born.
Thus, the symptoms of elevated bilirubin depend on the specific disease diagnosed in the woman. Depending on this, appropriate treatment is prescribed.
Increased bilirubin during early pregnancy
Most women bearing a baby face a condition such as toxicosis. In some, it is mild, while in others it is accompanied by excruciating nausea and excessive vomiting, not only in the morning, but throughout the day. Complex toxicosis is one of the causes of increased bilirubin during pregnancy.
It should be noted that such a condition in the early stages can be dangerous. Severe toxicosis often causes uterine tone, which, in turn, increases the risk of miscarriage. During this period, it is necessary to try to alleviate the condition of the pregnant woman as early as possible. After stopping the symptoms of toxicosis, bilirubin will return to normal on its own after a while.
Pathology diagnostics
Determine the level of bilirubin in the blood using a biochemical analysis of blood or urine. But the latter option is not always informative. For example, with an increase in indirect bilirubin, indicators may be normal. That is why pregnant women are recommended to take a biochemical blood test. Do not worry too much if the above symptoms are absent, and bilirubin is elevated. Perhaps the recommendations for passing the analysis were not followed:
- Blood should be taken strictly on an empty stomach. The last meal should be no later than 20:00 the previous day.
- 2-3 days before the expected date of delivery of the analysis should be abandoned spicy, smoked and salty foods.
- The expectant mother should try to relax, not be nervous, since stress can adversely affect the results.
Norms of bilirubin in the blood of a pregnant woman
If, according to the results of the analyzes, the level of bile pigment is high, the analysis must be passed again, but taking into account the above recommendations. The norm of bilirubin in pregnant women should be within such limits:
- total - 3.4-17.1 μmol / l;
- bound - 0-7.9 μmol / l;
- indirect - below 19.1 μmol / l.
A significant deviation from the norms upwards means that bilirubin during pregnancy is elevated and requires immediate reduction. To do this, it is recommended to consult a gastroenterologist who will select gentle therapy taking into account the condition of the woman
Implications for the expectant mother and fetus
Most often, an increase in bilirubin in the blood occurs in the last trimester of pregnancy. This is due to the huge load on the liver as a result of an increase in the size of the uterus. In turn, this condition leads to stagnation of bile and an increase in bilirubin. The consequences for pregnancy can be very different:
- With a slight increase in bile pigment (in the range of 8.4–20.5 μmol / L), there is no danger to mother and child. Bilirubin levels normalize immediately after birth, when the load on the liver is less.
- With a sharp increase in pigment, there is a real threat to the condition of the mother and fetus. If you do not lower the level of bilirubin in time, there is a risk of premature birth or stillbirth. For mom, a high level of bile pigment can mean the development of hemolytic anemia or hepatitis.
What to do with elevated bilirubin?
To reduce the level of bile pigment in the blood and urine, it is necessary to find out the cause of its increase. A gastroenterologist is involved in the treatment of this pathology. To make a correct diagnosis, a pregnant woman will need to once again pass the material to biochemistry and do an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity to check the condition of the liver and gall bladder.
With an increase in bilirubin in the blood during pregnancy, the following therapy is prescribed:
- a diet that excludes products harmful to the liver;
- taking medications approved for women carrying a baby;
- compliance with the regime of the day, healthy sleep lasting 7-8 hours;
- taking medicinal decoctions based on chamomile (only after consulting a doctor);
- infusion therapy.
The choice of medication depends on the cause of the increase in bilirubin. To improve the outflow of bile and normalize the liver, drugs "Essentiale", "Karsil", "Hofitol" can be prescribed. But in any case, all possible risks from taking them are first evaluated.
Preventive actions
To prevent an increase in total bilirubin during pregnancy, you must consciously relate to your condition. And this means that you need to try to exclude all factors that can cause pathology.
To prevent an increase in bilirubin during pregnancy, it is recommended:
- observe proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle;
- refuse caffeine in favor of purified drinking water;
- control the course of chronic diseases that may worsen during the period of gestation;
- do not use drugs that are prohibited for women in the situation;
- Do not collect and eat forest mushrooms, so as not to cause intoxication of the body;
- timely register at the antenatal clinic and follow all the doctor’s recommendations.
Elevated bilirubin rarely returns to normal on its own. Therefore, at the slightest suspicion of pathology, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Is reduced bilirubin dangerous during pregnancy?
Until some time, the low level of bile pigment in the blood did not cause any concern among doctors. However, recent studies have shown that reduced bilirubin may be one of the signs of the following conditions:
- non-hemolytic anemia;
- coronary heart disease;
- depression.
It is worth noting that such a pathology is extremely rare during pregnancy. Most often, she is diagnosed in smoking future mothers.