Maternal serum calprotectin level in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

This study aimed to investigate maternal serum levels of calprotectin in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and to compare these with serum calprotectin levels in healthy pregnant women.

Ninety pregnant women (ICP group, n = 45; healthy control group, n = 45) were included in the study. The gestational age and body mass index of the participants in the two groups were similar. This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2019 and May 2020 in the perinatology department of University of Health Sciences Doctor Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Education Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Patients were recruited from those attending the perinatology outpatient and inpatient clinics. Biochemical (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total bilirubin), fasting bile acid, hemogram, and calprotectin parameters of maternal blood were evaluated.

The mean fasting bile acid value in the ICP group was 30.3 ± 27.3 μmol, with severe ICP present in 11 (24.4%) patients. ALT, AST, LDH, total bilirubin, and mean platelet volume (MPV) values in the ICP group were higher and the red cell distribution width (RDW) value was lower than those in the control group (p < 0.001). The mean serum calprotectin levels in the control group and ICP group were 48.0 ± 10.4 and 765.4 ± 126.8 μg, respectively (p < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between serum fasting bile acid levels and serum calprotectin levels in the ICP group (p > 0.005).

Serum levels of calprotectin in patients with ICP were higher than those in healthy pregnant women. The serum calprotectin level may be an important diagnostic marker of ICP.