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/liter and 175.37 ± 101.088 units/liter respectively. 39.7% of participants were symptomatic for ICP while 38.6% responded to treatment. 34.1% underwent LSCS majorly (43.3%) for meconium and 23.3% had foetal distress. 33% had preterm delivery. 5.68% of the neonates needed NICU admission and 6.8% had respiratory distress syndrome.
