Cholestasis of Pregnancy, Intrahepatic
Basics
Description
- Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is characterized by generalized pruritus without skin lesions in pregnancy, accompanied by elevated serum bile acid levels +/− elevated serum transaminase levels (1,2).
- It occurs classically in the 3rd trimester but may begin in the 2nd trimester.
- It is a self-limited condition that resolves shortly after delivery.
- ICP is associated with adverse fetal outcomes, including premature delivery, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, respiratory distress, and fetal death (1,2).
Epidemiology
Incidence
- Varies between 0.2% and 25% worldwide (1)
- ICP is most common in China, Latin American, and Scandinavian countries.
Prevalence
Reports vary between 0.5% and 6.0% according to geography and ethnicity (2).
Etiology and Pathophysiology
- Genetic, endocrine, and environmental factors influence the risk of developing ICP (2).
- Its onset coincides with rising progesterone levels (2).
- Maternal pruritus may be related to a TGR5-mediated signaling pathway in sensory nerves, induced by bile acid (3).
- Sulfated progesterones and lysophosphatidic acid also play a role in pruritus (2,3).
- Some fetal complications may be due to bile salt accumulation in fetal tissues, leading to fetal arrhythmias and liver damage (4).
- Bile acids may vasoconstrict the chorionic veins, leading to decreased perfusion to the fetus (4).
- Bile acids may also increase oxytocin activity, leading to preterm delivery (4).
Genetics
Risk Factors
Commonly Associated Conditions
- Oral contraceptive–induced pruritus (3)
- Incidence of concomitant hepatitis C infection is higher in women with ICP (1).
- Pregnancy complications: postpartum hemorrhage (4), preeclampsia (2), gestational diabetes (2), and 19–60% increased risk preterm delivery (6)
- Neonatal complications: 17.9% risk of meconium passage, 29% risk of respiratory distress syndrome (6)
ALERT
- The most severe complication is fetal death.
- Fetal mortality has been reported as high as 20% but averages 0.75–7% (6).
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Citation
Domino, Frank J., et al., editors. "Cholestasis of Pregnancy, Intrahepatic." 5-Minute Clinical Consult, 33rd ed., Wolters Kluwer, 2025. Medicine Central, im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/816694/all/Cholestasis_of_Pregnancy__Intrahepatic.
Cholestasis of Pregnancy, Intrahepatic. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, et al, eds. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2025. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/816694/all/Cholestasis_of_Pregnancy__Intrahepatic. Accessed October 13, 2024.
Cholestasis of Pregnancy, Intrahepatic. (2025). In Domino, F. J., Baldor, R. A., Golding, J., & Stephens, M. B. (Eds.), 5-Minute Clinical Consult (33rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/816694/all/Cholestasis_of_Pregnancy__Intrahepatic
Cholestasis of Pregnancy, Intrahepatic [Internet]. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, Stephens MBM, editors. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2025. [cited 2024 October 13]. Available from: https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/816694/all/Cholestasis_of_Pregnancy__Intrahepatic.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
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T1 - Cholestasis of Pregnancy, Intrahepatic
ID - 816694
ED - Domino,Frank J,
ED - Baldor,Robert A,
ED - Golding,Jeremy,
ED - Stephens,Mark B,
BT - 5-Minute Clinical Consult, Updating
UR - https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/816694/all/Cholestasis_of_Pregnancy__Intrahepatic
PB - Wolters Kluwer
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DB - Medicine Central
DP - Unbound Medicine
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