Carbohydrate metabolism in the course of intrahepatic cholestasis in pregnancy

Glucose metabolism was evaluated in pregnant women with clinically and biochemically demonstrated intrahepatic cholestasis. Laboratory investigations included measurements of serum glucose concentrations on fasting and 2 hours after breakfast, the glucose tolerance test (100 gm oral glucose load), and 24-hour glycemia profile. All patients were admitted to the II Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Medical School in Warsaw, Poland. None of the patients exhibited manifest diabetes mellitus or had any clinical history suggestive of previous diabetes. The serum samples collected 2 hours after breakfast demonstrated higher glucose concentrations in women with intrahepatic cholestasis when compared with healthy control subjects. The glucose tolerance tests demonstrated consistently higher concentrations of glucose in blood serum samples after loading in the study group. The 24-hour glycemia profile showed greater glucose concentrations in serum samples collected 2 hours after breakfast and after supper. These results suggest that in the course of cholestasis in pregnancy, visible changes occur in the carbohydrate metabolism of the pregnant woman.