[Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy]

Abstract

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is a rare disorder of unknown origin with a symptomatically distressing maternal course with pruritus and icterus as the chief complaints. The disease poses little medical risk to the mother, but poses significantly risk to the fetus of perinatal mortality, preterm delivery, fetal distress, and meconium staining. The authors demonstrate the epidemiology, pathomechanism, prognosis of the disease. The clinical picture, the possibilities of diagnostics and differential diagnostics as well as the therapy of the disease are particularly discussed. On the basis of the data in the literature and on own observations the authors recommend the ursodeoxycholic acid treatment in the management of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.