Dexamethasone in the treatment of obstetric cholestasis: a case series.
Twelve women with obstetric cholestasis were given dexamethasone after failure to respond to ursodeoxycholic acid. Clinical improvement was achieved in eight cases, without complete resolution of symptoms. Biochemical response was achieved in seven cases. All but two cases had good correlation between clinical and biochemical response. Women of Asian and South American origin were more likely to respond to dexamethasone than Caucasians. There were no reported maternal or fetal side-effects. However, the subsequent consequences of dexamethasone treatment for the mother and fetus have not been thoroughly evaluated. Therefore, even in Asian and South American women, larger studies of dexamethasone are required before this treatment can be recommended as a universally safe and effective treatment for obstetric cholestasis.
Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.
M
M
Diac
A
A
Kenyon
C
C
Nelson-Piercy
J
J
Girling
F
F
Cheng
R M
RM
Tribe
J
J
Goodman
A
A
Shennan
C
C
Williamson
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid; D003907:Dexamethasone