[Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and fetal injury]

Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2013 Jun;38(6):645-52. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-7347.2013.06.015.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is an unique complication in pregnancy, which usually manifests in the second or third trimester, and mainly harms the fetus. Its pathogenesis is not yet clear, and placental pathological changes are insufficient to explain the clinical phenomenon.Recent studies had shown that the important cause of perinatal deaths may be the damage to the placental structure and function caused by the high bile acid level. In addition, the change of placental structure and function, umbilical cord factors, and endocrine changes can also cause the fetal development and intrauterine hypoxia. In recent years related researches focus on the toxic effect of bile acid on fetus heart, lungs, brain, liver, and other important organs, the placental vascular pathology, hemodynamic changes, umbilical cord blood vessel factors and the endocrine changes.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bile Acids and Salts / metabolism*
  • Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / metabolism*
  • Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / pathology
  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases / etiology*
  • Fetal Diseases / metabolism
  • Fetus / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange
  • Placenta / pathology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy Complications / pathology
  • Umbilical Cord / metabolism
  • Umbilical Cord / pathology*

Substances

  • Bile Acids and Salts

Supplementary concepts

  • Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy