Nearly a quarter of pregnant patients experience pruritus significant enough to report to their provider. Most cases are dermatological in origin and present with some evidence. Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is one cause of pruritus that presents without a rash and has more severe consequences than other causes of itching. The risk is higher for Latin females who have an incidence of up to 15% versus the general obstetric population 0.3–0.5% [1]. The typical presentation of ICP is second or third trimester and includes pruritus in the palms and soles that worsens at night. Other symptoms of ICP include abdominal pain, nausea, poor appetite, and subclinical steatorrhea [2].

The causes of ICP are poorly understood, but are believed to be a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. Mutations in phospholipid and bile salt export pumps found in the liver and placentas of lCP patients are believed to be factors [3],[4],[5]. An increased amount of the smooth muscle relaxant estrogen during pregnancy is another known contributor to stasis and the buildup of bile acids. Increased progesterones conjugation in the hepatic export system leads to inflammation and could play an additional role.

During pregnancy, serum bile acids within the fetus are slightly higher than those in the maternal circulation where they are ultimately transferred for excretion [6]. In ICP, the feto-maternal concentration gradient is reversed and is known to increase risk of fetal complications such as stillbirth, spontaneous preterm birth, and vasospasms leading to abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) findings [7]. In particular, it has been shown that fetal cardiomyocytes have increased susceptibility to and incidence of tachycardia, bradycardia, atrial flutter, and supraventricular tachycardia when exposed to elevated bile acids [8].

Total bile acid (TBA) values >10–20 umol/L (varies with lab) during second and third trimesters are considered diagnostic [9]. Evaluation includes history and physical exam and complete blood count (CBC), liver function tests (LFTs), TBA, and weekly fetal biophysical profile (BPP). The debate on whether TBA should be collected fasting or postprandial has remained. Liver function tests are elevated in up to 60% of cases and represent bile acid induced dysfunction of the hepatobiliary tree and damage to hepatocytes. Collection of LFTs is recommended but elevated levels are not required for diagnosis and their role in management of ICP is not established. More common causes of itching such as dermatitis, and more severe causes such as HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome must also be ruled out.

The use of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of symptomatic ICP cases and, reducing the likelihood of neonatal cardiac abnormalities [7]. Should bile acids reach or exceed 100 umol/L, and symptoms are refractory to treatment or the patient has a history of intrauterine demise due to ICP delivery starting at 36 0/7 has shown to reduce the risks of stillbirth (Ovadia). For those with TBA between 40 and 99 umol/L or persistent symptoms delivery between 36 0/7 and 39 0/7 is recommended [10]. Postpartum bile acids should be collected at 4–6 weeks to reevaluate a patient’s status. If hepatobiliary dysfunction is persistent by laboratory standards a referral to gastroenterology is warranted [4]. Although not routinely obtained, biopsy histopathology typically demonstrates stasis and plugging within hepatic bile ducts (Figure 1 and Figure 2). Succeeding pregnancies should be monitored for ICP given there is a 60–90% chance of recurrence [13].

A 30-year-old G5P1T3L3 female patient with a history of unexplained fetal demise presented to the clinic at 37 +1 having just been discharged from a nearby unaffiliated hospital’s obstetrics department. The patient had an uneventful pregnancy to that point but four days earlier presented to the hospital obstetrics floor complaining of whole-body itching with pronounced pruritus on the hands and feet. In the office, the physical exam was unremarkable except for scratch marks on the lateral aspect of one leg. Fetal heart tones were within normal limits (WNL) and she reported fetal movements daily with no abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding. Urinalysis was unremarkable for signs of infection or preeclampsia and the patient was normotensive. A review of her hospital labs showed a bile TBA of 7 umol/L including fractionated bile acids (FBA) and values of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 47 U/L, alanine transaminase (ALT) 44 U/L, and elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) 225 U/L. A routine complete metabolic panel (CMP) obtained 3 weeks earlier while the patient was asymptomatic showed normal LFTs and a TBA consistent with ICP at 11 umol/L although that value was not considered elevated by that lab’s reference ranges. At presentation, the patient was now symptomatic and a repeat CMP with TBA was taken in the clinic and showed TBA had decreased to 4 umol/L and LFTs were unremarkable. Although values fell below the diagnostic threshold the patient’s itching worsened and was consistent with ICP. The patient declined pharmacological intervention and instead she presented to the hospital with worsening of her itching. Given earlier lab confirmation of ICP, refractory symptoms, and history of fetal demise a decision was made with the patient to undergo induction at 37 3/7. A healthy full-term baby was delivered without incident. At a 3-week follow-up, the patient reported cessation of pruritus and a thriving newborn.

In this case, we found that different labs measured different acid types and had different thresholds for “elevated” [14]. Further comparison with labs across the country revealed that the values changed even more dramatically with distance [15]. Manzotti et al. found that neither value was significantly sensitive or specific for the diagnosis of ICP or the management of symptoms [16]. Perinatology researchers have suggested that neutrophil to leukocyte ratio could serve as a more specific measurement of disease severity given the role inflammation plays in ICP [17]. A more sensitive or specific sign would be clinically helpful, however, we agree that future efforts should focus on establishing consistency for reference ranges between laboratories and the significance of fractionated bile acids. Moreover, it is not clear when the benefits of UDCA are maximized and should be evaluated on a chronometric scale to better understand the benefits and to reduce the iatrogenic effects of pharmacological intervention and preterm delivery. These variables in highlight the need for physicians to consider the clinical picture in full and emphasize the need to make timely medical decisions given the known morbidity and mortality risks the pathology poses.

Obstetricians are in a position to survey risk factors unique to their patients such as those who have had a cholestatic response to oral contraceptives [18] and have the benefit of more frequent visits. At-risk populations should not exclude patients who have undergone cholecystectomy as postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) occurs in 0.1–1.5% of the population, and up to 70% experience intrahepatic cholestasis [19]. Anxiety is another risk factor associated with increased perinatal morbidity and should be evaluated appropriately [20]. More frequent monitoring could relieve these symptoms and support the need for increased surveillance.

Patients suspected of intrahepatic cholestasis should have bile acids and liver enzymes assessed objectively in reference to values cited in the literature versus standard values quoted in each laboratory. Patients with this pathology should be evaluated closely and promptly offered all available options for treatment and delivery to avoid life-threatening risks posed to the fetus.