Clinical outcome in a series of cases of obstetric cholestasis identified via a patient support group.

BJOG. 2004 Jul;111(7):676-81.
  
Clinical outcome in a series of cases of obstetric cholestasis identified via a 
patient support group.

Williamson C, Hems LM, Goulis DG, Walker I, Chambers J, Donaldson O, Swiet M, 
Johnston DG.

Division of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, UK.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features of obstetric cholestasis pregnancies 
in UK white Caucasians.

DESIGN: A questionnaire survey.

SETTING: Study coordinated at Queen Charlotte's Hospital. 

POPULATION: Clinical features of 352 affected pregnancies in 227 Caucasian women 
identified via a patient support group.

METHODS: Evaluation of the gestation at which prematurity and intrauterine death 
occur, and recording of additional clinical features in pregnancies complicated 
by obstetric cholestasis. 

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The timing of pregnancies complicated by intrauterine 
death and prematurity. 

RESULTS: Among the affected pregnancies, 23 (7%) were complicated by intrauterine 
death (20 singletons and 3 twins) and 133 (38%) were delivered prematurely (56 
spontaneous and 77 iatrogenic). Eighteen of the 20 singleton intrauterine deaths 
occurred after 37 weeks. All three intrauterine deaths in twin pregnancies 
occurred before 37 weeks. Pruritus started earlier in pregnancies complicated by 
spontaneous prematurity, but not in those complicated by intrauterine death. 

CONCLUSIONS: Intrauterine death in singleton pregnancies complicated by obstetric 
cholestasis death mainly occurs after 37 weeks. The gestation at which pruritus 
is first reported may help to predict spontaneous prematurity.

PMID: 15198757 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


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