What is the most likely diagnosis for a 32-year-old primigravida (first pregnancy) at 34 weeks gestation presenting with severe right upper quadrant pain, fever (hyperthermia), tachycardia, and elevated liver enzymes (hepatocellular injury) with scleral icterus (jaundice) and hyperbilirubinemia?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: March 31, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

Differential Diagnosis

  • Single most likely diagnosis
    • HELLP syndrome: This condition is characterized by Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelet count. The patient's symptoms, such as right upper quadrant pain, scleral icterus, and elevated liver enzymes, along with a low platelet count, are consistent with HELLP syndrome. The patient's hemoglobin level is also slightly low, which could indicate hemolysis.
  • Other Likely diagnoses
    • Acute cholecystitis: The patient's right upper quadrant pain and tenderness to palpation could suggest acute cholecystitis. However, the absence of rebound or guarding and the presence of scleral icterus make this diagnosis less likely.
    • Acute viral hepatitis: The patient's elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin levels could indicate acute viral hepatitis. However, the patient's symptoms and laboratory results are more consistent with a pregnancy-related condition.
  • Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
    • Pulmonary embolism: Although the patient's symptoms do not strongly suggest pulmonary embolism, it is a potentially life-threatening condition that should be considered in any pregnant patient with sudden onset of pain and respiratory symptoms.
    • Appendicitis: Although the patient's pain is in the right upper quadrant, appendicitis can present atypically in pregnant patients, and a missed diagnosis could be catastrophic.
  • Rare diagnoses
    • Budd-Chiari syndrome: This rare condition, characterized by hepatic vein thrombosis, could present with similar symptoms, such as abdominal pain and liver dysfunction. However, it is much less common than other conditions on this list.
    • Wilson's disease: This rare genetic disorder can cause liver dysfunction and hemolysis, but it is unlikely in this patient given the acute onset of symptoms and the patient's age.

Related Questions

What is the best next step in managing a 30-year-old primigravida (first pregnancy) at 24 weeks gestation with newly diagnosed hypertension (elevated blood pressure), as evidenced by a blood pressure of 152/88 mmHg and 154/86 mmHg, in the absence of any other symptoms or complications, with normal physical examination, fetal heart rate of 150/min on Doppler ultrasound, and laboratory results showing mild anemia (hematocrit 30%), normal platelet count (280,000/mm3), normal renal function (creatinine 0.6 mg/dL), normal liver function (aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 17 U/L, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 24 U/L), and proteinuria (1+ protein on urinalysis)?
What is the cause of mental retardation (intellectual disability)?
Which supplement is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in smokers?
What is the next step in managing an 11-year-old girl with decreased Level of Consciousness (LoC) and a 2-day history of vomiting?
Can a 48-year-old perimenopausal female with obesity (Body Mass Index (BMI) of 37) use Nextstellis (Drospirenone and Estetrol) Oral Contraceptive Pill (OCP) for contraception?
What is the most likely diagnosis for a post-operative patient with severe nausea, right flank pain, hypotension, tachycardia, fever, and dark red urine after a total abdominal hysterectomy and tumor debulking for metastatic ovarian cancer, complicated by bleeding and a ureteral laceration, and who has developed pain and oozing along the intravenous (IV) site after a packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion?

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.