The treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy by dexamethasone.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether dexamethasone suppression of fetoplacental oestrogen production can reduce obstetric cholestasis.


METHODS
Observational study.


METHODS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Tampere, Finland.


METHODS
10 women, at between 28 and 37 weeks gestation, with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.


METHODS
Treatment with 12 mg oral dexamethasone daily for 7 days, after which the therapy was gradually discontinued over 3 days.


METHODS
Serum oestriol, oestradiol, total bile acids and ALAT were measured before and during therapy and on days 4 and 7 and ALAT also on day 12. Differences were tested by paired t test.


RESULTS
Itching disappeared or was relieved in all patients. Serum oestriol level fell significantly by day 1 of treatment, serum oestradiol and total bile acid levels by day 4 and ALAT by day 12 from the beginning of the therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Dexamethasone is a drug of choice in the treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.
Hirvioja
M L
ML
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tampere, Finland.
Tuimala
R
R
Vuori
J
J
D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third
D003907:Dexamethasone