Serum enzymes and blood ammonium in hepatic disease of pregnancy

Abstract

1. Increased activity of SLDH, SGOT, and SICD is associated with rise in blood ammonium and points to a correlation with liver disease. These serum enzymes are altered by other conditions in pregnancy and hence are not reliable as liver function tests in obstetrical disease. 2. SGPT activity appears to be less easily influenced. Its correlation with blood ammonium supports its use as the more specific tests of liver disease in pregnancy. 3. Increased SGPT activity with concomitant elevation of blood ammonium was demonstrated in toxaemia of pregnancy, infectious hepatitis and toxic hepatitis. 4. SGPT activity was increased in a case of severe vomiting of late pregnancy without jaundice suggesting early subclinical hepatocellular damage. 5. Cord blood ammonium was elevated in two cases of severe foetal distress associated with prolonged labour and difficult delivery following an apparently normal antenatal course. The principal author, Mrs. Kam, was supported by a full-time research grant from the Medical Research Council of Ireland.