[Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy]

ABSTRACT

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is a pregnancy specific hepatic disorder. It occurs mainly in the third trimester of pregnancy by pruritus and elevated serum levels of aminotransferases and total bile acid which completly regresses few days or weeks after delivery. Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is regarded as a benign disease with meaningful consequences to the mother but associated to increased perinatal risk with increased rates of preterm birth and perinatal mortality. The pathogenesis of disease is unclear yet but likely involves a genetic hypersensitivity to estrogen or progesteron metabolites. Treatment is focused on reducing symptoms in mother and to provide an adequate obstetric management in order to prevent fetal distress. Currently, only ursodeoxycholic acid treatment has been proven to be useful and safe and should be the first choice treatment