Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

Isolation of Neonatal Extrahepatic Cholangiocytes
07:54

Isolation of Neonatal Extrahepatic Cholangiocytes

Published on: June 5, 2014

10.3K

Intrahepatic Cholestasis in a Pregnant Patient With Sickle Cell Disease: A Case Report

Yamini Sundara Priya Dasiah1, Martina Saeid1, Fatmaelzahraa Ahmed2

  • 1Internal Medicine, New Medical Center (NMC) Royal Women's Hospital, Abu Dhabi, ARE.

Cureus
|June 19, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis (SCIC) is a rare but serious complication in pregnant patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Early diagnosis and management, including early delivery, are crucial for successful outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Hematology
  • Hepatology

Background:

  • Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder with various complications.
  • Sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis (SCIC) is a severe, potentially fatal SCD complication, primarily in homozygous SCD patients.
  • Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) typically occurs in late pregnancy, marked by itching and elevated liver enzymes/bile acids.

Observation:

  • A pregnant patient with homozygous SCD developed cholestasis at 25 weeks gestation.
  • The patient presented with abnormal liver enzymes and high bile acid levels.
  • Diagnosis of homozygous SCD was established during her second pregnancy.

Findings:

  • Intrahepatic cholestasis in a pregnant patient with homozygous SCD is exceptionally rare.
  • The patient required delivery at 30 weeks gestation due to rapidly worsening cholestasis.
  • Successful management of SCIC in pregnancy was achieved.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of recognizing and managing SCIC in pregnant SCD patients.
  • Prompt intervention, including preterm delivery, can lead to successful maternal and fetal outcomes.
  • Further research into SCIC pathophysiology and management strategies in pregnancy is warranted.

Keywords:
acute sickle hepatic crisishepatic complication in scdintrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy in scdobstetric cholestasissickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis

More Related Videos

Method of Direct Segmental Intra-hepatic Delivery Using a Rat Liver Hilar Clamp Model09:22

Method of Direct Segmental Intra-hepatic Delivery Using a Rat Liver Hilar Clamp Model

Published on: April 2, 2017

14.1K
Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload05:23

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload

Published on: March 14, 2017

19.5K

Related Concept Videos

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction01:17

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction

Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder01:26

Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder

Liver and gallbladder diseases are a significant health concern, with prominent conditions including cirrhosis, hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and gallstones. Jaundice is a common manifestation of liver and biliary disease.
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not related to...
Portal Hypertension01:22

Portal Hypertension

Portal hypertension is an increase in blood pressure within the portal venous system. Normally, this pressure is less than 5 mmHg. It is considered clinically significant when it rises above 10 mmHg. At this threshold, complications from altered blood flow and venous congestion emerge.EtiologyPortal hypertension arises from conditions that impede blood flow through the liver. The most common cause is cirrhosis, in which chronic liver injury leads to fibrotic scarring. This fibrosis narrows or...
Jaundice01:25

Jaundice

Jaundice, or icterus, is the yellow discoloration of the skin, sclerae, and mucous membranes. It happens when plasma bilirubin levels rise above 2.5-3 mg/dL, leading to bilirubin deposition in tissue.Bilirubin is a byproduct of hemoglobin degradation. In macrophages, hemoglobin breaks down into globin and heme. Globin is converted into amino acids, while heme is turned into biliverdin by heme oxygenase, which is then reduced to unconjugated bilirubin by biliverdin reductase.Unconjugated...
Cholecystitis01:20

Cholecystitis

Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder, most commonly caused by obstruction of the cystic duct. This blockage prevents bile from draining, leading to gallbladder distension, inflammation, and potentially serious complications. This condition may present acutely or chronically and can happen with or without gallstones.EtiologyAbout 95% of cholecystitis cases are calculous, caused by gallstones blocking the cystic duct, leading to bile accumulation and inflammation of the gallbladder...