How many people get acute fatty of pregnancy?
Acute fatty liver of pregnancy is very rare. It affects around 1 in 10,000 pregnancies. The chances of developing it are very low.
Acute fatty liver of pregnancy is most commonly diagnosed in the third trimester of pregnancy, at around 35 weeks. About a quarter of women affected are only diagnosed after they have had their baby. And a very small number of women get acute fatty liver of pregnancy earlier, in their second trimester, but this is extremely rare.
What happens in acute fatty liver of pregnancy?
A healthy liver has very little fat in it. In acute fatty liver of pregnancy, lots of tiny droplets of fat build up in your liver very suddenly. This damages your liver and stops it working properly – this is called acute liver failure.
Your liver does lots of important jobs to keep you healthy, such as cleaning your blood, helping you digest food, and storing energy. So when your liver isn’t working properly it can affect you in lots of other ways. For example, you might also get problems with your kidneys, pancreas and other organs. Read more about your liver.
Most women with acute fatty liver of pregnancy will need to be treated in intensive care. This is so doctors can keep a close eye on you, treat you, and help keep your organs working as well as possible. Read more about how acute fatty liver of pregnancy is treated.
Doctors do not think your baby gets a fatty liver. But they can be affected because you are so poorly. The intensive care doctors will work with your pregnancy team. They will make a joint plan to deliver your baby safely, once you are stable.
The liver is very good at repairing itself. Most women and babies recover from acute fatty liver of pregnancy. Sadly some still die, but this now happens less often. Read more about how acute fatty liver of pregnancy might affect you and your baby.
Next
About this information
Everyone’s experience of acute fatty liver of pregnancy will be different. Always talk to your specialist medical team for personal advice.
Our information aims to be clear, up-to-date, and useful. We work with people living with liver disease and clinicians to make our information.
Share your thoughts on this information
If you have any feedback or would like a full list of references, you can also let us know by emailing patient-info@britishlivertrust.org.uk.
Clinical reviewer: Professor John Dillon, Professor of hepatology and gastroenterology, School of medicine, University of Dundee
Publication date: December 2025
Next review: December 2028
Support for you
Find out more
Living with a liver condition
Find out more