Invited Review

Preexisting Liver Disease and Pregnancy: Optimizing Care to Optimize Outcomes

Volume 37 · Issue 2 Publish Date: January 2, 2026
Ilkay Ergenc ORCID Alexandra Frolkis ORCID Michael Heneghan ORCID
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Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology

Volume 37 · Issue 2

Pages: 146-160

History

Published Online: January 2, 2026

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Copyright © 2026 Ilkay Ergenc, Alexandra Frolkis, Michael Heneghan

Ilkay Ergenc ORCID
The Roger Williams Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College Hospital, London, UK
Alexandra Frolkis ORCID
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
Michael Heneghan ORCID
The Roger Williams Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College Hospital, London, UK
Ergenc, I., Frolkis, A., & Heneghan, M. (2026). Preexisting Liver Disease and Pregnancy: Optimizing Care to Optimize Outcomes. Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology, 37(2), 146–160. https://doi.org/10.5152/tjg.2026.25753
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Abstract

Preexisting liver disease, particularly the presence of cirrhosis and portal hypertension (PHT), presents a significant challenge during gestation,  necessitating close collaboration between obstetric and hepatology/gastroenterology teams. Women with underlying liver conditions face an increased likelihood of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Proactive identification and management of the potential risks associated with pregnancy in this patient group is therefore crucial. While the desire to start a family is deeply personal, each pregnancy carries unique risks requiring careful consideration. Although no single recommendation can comprehensively address all forms of liver disease, pregnancy in women with underlying hepatic conditions can be both safe and achievable when managed througha multidisciplinary team approach, involving the mother and her partner from the preconception stage through to the postpartum period. This review summarizes the current evidence regarding the risks and management strategies for pregnancy complicated by preexisting liver disease, including cirrhosis and PHT, steatotic liver disease, viral hepatitis, autoimmune liver disease, and liver transplant recipients.

 

Cite this article as: I E, A F, MA H. Preexisting liver disease and pregnancy: optimizing care to optimize outcomes. Turk J Gastroenterol. 2026;37(2):146-160.

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Article Info
Published In
Journal Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology
Volume / Issue Volume 37 · Issue 2
Pages 146-160
DOI 10.5152/tjg.2026.25753
History
Published Online January 2, 2026
License
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Copyright
Copyright (c) 2026 Ilkay Ergenc, Alexandra Frolkis, Michael Heneghan
Affiliations
Ilkay Ergenc ORCID
The Roger Williams Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College Hospital, London, UK
Alexandra Frolkis ORCID
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
Michael Heneghan ORCID
The Roger Williams Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College Hospital, London, UK
Cite this Article
Ergenc, I., Frolkis, A., & Heneghan, M. (2026). Preexisting Liver Disease and Pregnancy: Optimizing Care to Optimize Outcomes. Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology, 37(2), 146–160. https://doi.org/10.5152/tjg.2026.25753
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