Ursodeoxycholic acid in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy - A retrospective study of 19 cases

Objective. We studied the clinical and biological effects and safety of urs odeoxycholic acid in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (T CP). Methods. All cases of ICP treated with ursodeoxycholic acid in our departme nt from January Ist, 1991 to May 31st, 1997 were reviewed. Results. Forty-three patients had ICP, of whom 19 received ursodeoxycholic acid. The first symptoms appeared after a mean of 29.7 weeks of pregnancy ( WP). Treatment was started after a mean of 32 WP, and lasted a mean of 28.5 days. Fourteen patients showed a clinical improvement on UDCA, and 11 show ed a biological improvement. Two had a biological deterioration with increa sed liver enzyme concentrations. Conclusions. Ursodeoxycholic acid appears to be an effective treatment for ICP, but further studies are needed to confirm its safety in pregnancy.