Ursodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of cholestasis and hyperbilirubinemia in pediatric intensive care unit patients.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in the treatment of cholestasis and hyperbilirubinemia in a pediatric intensive care unit population.


METHODS
Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify children and adolescents in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) who received UDCA for the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia and cholestasis.


RESULTS
Ursodeoxycholic acid was administered at a dose of 20 mg/kg per day to 5 PICU patients with cholestasis and hyperbilirubinemia of various etiologies. In 4 of 5 patients, there was a decrease in serum bilirubin levels following the start of UDCA therapy. There was no response to therapy in 1 patient, who developed disseminated fungal disease and died. No adverse effects related to therapy were noted.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary data suggest that UDCA is effective in the treatment of cholestasis and hyperbilirubinemia of various etiologies in the PICU patient. Prospective, randomized trials are warranted to further assess the efficacy of this therapy in this patient population.
George
Reggie
R
Department of Child Health, Division of Pediatric Critical Care/Pediatric Anesthesiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA.
Stevens
Amy
A
Berkenbosch
John W
JW
Turpin
Julie
J
Tobias
Joseph
J
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006932:Hyperbilirubinemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007223:Infant; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid