What is Gilbert’s syndrome in pregnancy?

Gilbert’s syndrome is an inherited condition often discovered by accident, such as when someone has a blood test. It occurs due to a defect in the processing of bilirubin by the liver. The syndrome may cause the skin and the whites of the eyes to have a yellow tinge due to the build-up of bilirubin. Gilbert’s syndrome is typically harmless and treatment isn’t required.

What is Gilbert’s syndrome in pregnancy?

Gilbert’s syndrome is a common autosomal dominant hereditary condition with incomplete penetrance and characterized by intermittent unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in the absence of hepatocellular disease or hemolysis. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) refers to the diagnosis of diabetes at 24 to 28 weeks of gestation.

On evaluation, all the investigations were normal except mild unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia and hypoglycaemia. Based on the above findings we derived a diagnosis of Gilbert syndrome. Dehydration due to vomiting aggravated her jaundice. On correcting her dehydration jaundice resolved, the patient improved symptomatically and was discharged two days later.

She was later admitted at term and underwent an emergency caesarian section given fetal distress. Mother and baby were fine postoperatively and were discharged on the fifth postoperative day Gilbert syndrome is rare in obstetric practice.