Pregnancy outcomes and prognostic factors in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe maternal and fetal characteristics associated with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and to determine clinical and biochemical predictors of fetal complications. A total of 89 singleton pregnancies with ICP were analysed, retrospectively. All data concerning laboratory results, symptom onset time, treatment response, delivery time and infant information were recorded in the study protocol. The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 32.6 +/- 3.4 weeks; mean time of delivery was 36.8 +/- 1.9 weeks. Binary logistic regression revealed that gestational age at diagnosis was predictive of preterm delivery (OR +/- 2.3, 95% CI: 1.5-3.3, p = 0.001). The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), fetal growth restriction, fetal distress and preterm delivery were significantly higher in patients who were diagnosed before 30 weeks than after 34 weeks 'gestation (p < 0.01). Gestational age at diagnosis is an important independent factor predicting adverse perinatal outcomes in patients with ICP.