title: Cholestasis of pregnancy.
abstract: Intrahepatic cholestasis (ICP) of pregnancy is a disease that is likely multifactorial in etiology and has a prevalence that varies by geography and ethnicity. The diagnosis is made when patients have a combination of pruritus and abnormal liver-function tests. It is associated with a high risk for adverse perinatal outcome, including preterm birth, meconium passage, and fetal death. As of yet, the cause for fetal death is unknown. Because fetal deaths caused by ICP appear to occur predominantly after 37 weeks, it is suggested to offer delivery at approximately 37 weeks. Ursodeoxycholic acid appears to be the most effective medication to improve maternal pruritus and liver-function tests; however, there is no medication to date that has been shown to reduce the risk for fetal death.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California, 2020 Zonal Avenue, IRD, Room 203, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
authors.forename: Bhuvan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pathak
authors.forename: Lili
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sheibani
authors.forename: Richard H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome