title: [Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy].
abstract: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy occurs mainly in the final months of pregnancy, and is characterised by pruritus. Foetal morbidity and mortality are increased. The disorder is probably caused by a genetic defect in hormonal metabolism which becomes manifest during the altered hormonal balance in pregnancy. The total serum bile acid concentration is the diagnostic hallmark of the disease. Other routine laboratory tests have a low sensitivity and specificity. An active obstetric management with routine foetal assessments, caesarean section if the foetal condition worsens, and termination of the pregnancy at 37-38 weeks, probably prevents a large proportion of complications. Ursodeoxycholic acid treatment should be considered especially in patients with severe pruritus or complications in previous pregnancies.
authors.affiliation: Erasmus Medisch Centrum, locatie Dijkzigt, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: ter Borg
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: van Buuren
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Visser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid