title: Ursodeoxycholic acid in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. A retrospective study of 19 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We studied the clinical and biological effects and safety of ursodeoxycholic acid in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).
  
  
  METHODS
  All cases of ICP treated with ursodeoxycholic acid in our department from January 1st, 1991 to May 31st, 1997 were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-three patients had ICP, of whom 19 received ursodeoxycholic acid. The first symptoms appeared after a mean of 29.7 weeks of pregnancy (WP). Treatment was started after a mean of 32 WP, and lasted a mean of 28.5 days. Fourteen patients showed a clinical improvement on UDCA, and 11 showed a biological improvement. Two had a biological deterioration with increased liver enzyme concentrations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ursodeoxycholic acid appears to be an effective treatment for ICP, but further studies are needed to confirm its safety in pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Service de Gynécologie Obstétrique et Médecine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Tenon, Paris, France.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Berkane
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Cocheton
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brehier
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Merviel
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lefèvre
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uzan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid