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Ursodeoxycholic acid in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. A retrospective study of 19 cases
N Berkane1, J J Cocheton, D Brehier
1Service de Gynécologie Obstétrique et Médecine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Tenon, Paris, France.
Objective:
We studied the clinical and biological effects and safety of ursodeoxycholic acid in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).
Methods:
All cases of ICP treated with ursodeoxycholic acid in our department from January 1st, 1991 to May 31st, 1997 were reviewed.
Results:
Forty-three patients had ICP, of whom 19 received ursodeoxycholic acid. The first symptoms appeared after a mean of 29.7 weeks of pregnancy (WP). Treatment was started after a mean of 32 WP, and lasted a mean of 28.5 days. Fourteen patients showed a clinical improvement on UDCA, and 11 showed a biological improvement. Two had a biological deterioration with increased liver enzyme concentrations.
Conclusions:
Ursodeoxycholic acid appears to be an effective treatment for ICP, but further studies are needed to confirm its safety in pregnancy.
