Women successfully treated for severe intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy do not have increased risks for adverse perinatal outcomes

Abstract

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) increases adverse perinatal outcome (APO) incidence. Whether successful treatment of severe ICP reduces APO risk is unclear. This retrospective, single-center study in China enrolled consecutive women with ICP who had term delivery (=37 weeks, singleton) between August 2013 and June 2016. Patients were divided into the mild ICP (serum bile acids (SBA) 40mmol/L throughout pregnancy) and severe ICP (SBA >40mmol/L during pregnancy but fell after ursodeoxycholate therapy) groups. Baseline characteristics, laboratory investigations, and maternal and neonatal outcomes were assessed. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with meconium staining of amniotic fluid (MSAF) and APOs. Seventy-three patients were included (mild ICP group, n=47; severe ICP group, n=26). Pruritus was more common in the severe ICP group (65.4% vs 40.4%; P