title: Clinical outcome in a series of cases of obstetric cholestasis identified via a patient support group.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the clinical features of obstetric cholestasis pregnancies in UK white Caucasians.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study coordinated at Queen Charlotte's Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical features of 352 affected pregnancies in 227 Caucasian women identified via a patient support group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Evaluation of the gestation at which prematurity and intrauterine death occur, and recording of additional clinical features in pregnancies complicated by obstetric cholestasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The timing of pregnancies complicated by intrauterine death and prematurity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the affected pregnancies, 23 (7%) were complicated by intrauterine death (20 singletons and 3 twins) and 133 (38%) were delivered prematurely (56 spontaneous and 77 iatrogenic). Eighteen of the 20 singleton intrauterine deaths occurred after 37 weeks. All three intrauterine deaths in twin pregnancies occurred before 37 weeks. Pruritus started earlier in pregnancies complicated by spontaneous prematurity, but not in those complicated by intrauterine death.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intrauterine death in singleton pregnancies complicated by obstetric cholestasis death mainly occurs after 37 weeks. The gestation at which pruritus is first reported may help to predict spontaneous prematurity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, UK.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: Laura M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Hems
authors.forename: Dimitrios G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Goulis
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Donaldson
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Swiet
authors.forename: Desmond G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Johnston
mesh_terms: D002779:Cholestasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000453:epidemiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000453:epidemiology; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011537:Pruritus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology