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Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy: A Review of Diagnosis and Management.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Wood, AM; Livingston, EG; Hughes, BL; Kuller, JA
Published in: Obstet Gynecol Surv
February 2018

IMPORTANCE: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) complicates approximately 0.2% to 2% of pregnancies and can lead to increased fetal risks in pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: This review aims to increase the knowledge of women's health care providers regarding the diagnosis, management, and fetal risks associated with ICP. RESULTS: The diagnosis of ICP is based on symptoms of pruritus that typically include the palms and soles, as well as elevated bile acid levels. Other liver function tests such as alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase are also frequently elevated, and other causes of liver dysfunction should be ruled out. Fetal risks of ICP include increased risk of preterm birth, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, respiratory distress syndrome, or stillbirth. There is evidence that as bile acid levels increase, so does the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. Ursodeoxycholic acid treatment has been shown to improve maternal pruritus symptoms, as well as biochemical tests, but no treatment has been shown to definitively improve fetal outcomes. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Providers should be aware of the signs and symptoms of ICP and provide accurate diagnosis and management of affected women. Women with a diagnosis of ICP should be treated with ursodeoxycholic acid to improve maternal symptoms. Given the increased risk of stillbirth in the setting of ICP, delivery may be considered at 37 weeks' gestation.

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Published In

Obstet Gynecol Surv

DOI

EISSN

1533-9866

Publication Date

February 2018

Volume

73

Issue

2

Start / End Page

103 / 109

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid
  • Stillbirth
  • Risk Factors
  • Pruritus
  • Prenatal Diagnosis
  • Premature Birth
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Pregnancy Complications
  • Pregnancy
  • Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
 

Citation

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Wood, A. M., Livingston, E. G., Hughes, B. L., & Kuller, J. A. (2018). Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy: A Review of Diagnosis and Management. Obstet Gynecol Surv, 73(2), 103–109. https://doi.org/10.1097/OGX.0000000000000524
Wood, Amber M., Elizabeth G. Livingston, Brenna L. Hughes, and Jeffrey A. Kuller. “Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy: A Review of Diagnosis and Management.Obstet Gynecol Surv 73, no. 2 (February 2018): 103–9. https://doi.org/10.1097/OGX.0000000000000524.
Wood AM, Livingston EG, Hughes BL, Kuller JA. Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy: A Review of Diagnosis and Management. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2018 Feb;73(2):103–9.
Wood, Amber M., et al. “Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy: A Review of Diagnosis and Management.Obstet Gynecol Surv, vol. 73, no. 2, Feb. 2018, pp. 103–09. Pubmed, doi:10.1097/OGX.0000000000000524.
Wood AM, Livingston EG, Hughes BL, Kuller JA. Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy: A Review of Diagnosis and Management. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2018 Feb;73(2):103–109.

Published In

Obstet Gynecol Surv

DOI

EISSN

1533-9866

Publication Date

February 2018

Volume

73

Issue

2

Start / End Page

103 / 109

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid
  • Stillbirth
  • Risk Factors
  • Pruritus
  • Prenatal Diagnosis
  • Premature Birth
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Pregnancy Complications
  • Pregnancy
  • Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine