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. 2024 Apr;74(2):113-118.
doi: 10.1007/s13224-023-01881-6. Epub 2023 Dec 30.

Evaluating the Utility of Liver Transaminases as Predictors of Feto-Maternal Outcome in Lieu of Serum Bile Acids in Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy: A Prospective Observational Study

Devyani Misra  1 , Neetu Singh  2 , Mariyam Faruqi  3 , Vandana Tiwari  4 , Vandana Kumar  5 , Farah Zafar  6
Affiliations

Evaluating the Utility of Liver Transaminases as Predictors of Feto-Maternal Outcome in Lieu of Serum Bile Acids in Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy: A Prospective Observational Study

Devyani Misra et al. J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2024 Apr.

Abstract

Introduction: Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP) is a disorder of the second half of pregnancy causing pruritus and abnormal liver function tests (LFT). Incidence in India is 1.2-1.5%. ICP leads to adverse feto-maternal outcomes with early delivery indicated before serum bile acids (SBA) (gold standard) and hepatic transaminases are critically high. With paucity of evidence these levels are not well defined.

Objectives: To determine the association of liver transaminases with pregnancy outcomes in ICP and evaluate critical levels for prediction of adverse outcomes.

Material and methods: A prospective observational study was conducted comprising 88 pregnant women with pruritus not associated with rash. After history and examination, LFT and SBA levels were done, treatment given and followed till pregnancy termination to determine the feto-maternal outcome.

Results: The mean age of participants was 26.43 ± 3.35 years. The mean SBA, ALT and AST levels were 18.97 ± 10.320 μmol/L, 206.06 ± 45.71units/litre and 175.37 ± 101.088 units/litre respectively. 39.7% of participants were symptomatic for ICP while 38.6% responded to treatment. 34.1% underwent LSCS majorly (43.3%) formeconiumand 23.3% had foetal distress. 33% had preterm delivery. 5.68% of the neonates needed NICU admission and 6.8% had respiratory distress syndrome. The cut off for ALT on ROC curve analysis was 151.5 units/litre with AUC as 0.905, sensitivity and specificity of 89.7 and 70% respectively.

Conclusion: ICP leads to adverse pregnancy outcomes. ALT is a promising predictor of adverse outcome and termination of pregnancy can be planned accordingly.

Keywords: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy; Liver transaminases; Pruritus in pregnancy; Serum bile acids.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Period of Gestation at the time of diagnosis of IHCP
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Period of gestation at the time of termination of pregnancy
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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