Obstetric Cholestasis Green-top Guideline No. 43 April 2011

Obstetric CholestasisGreen-top Guideline No. 43April 2011

Prof. of Ob, Gyn Al Azhar University (Domiate)

Prof. Mahmoud Midan

Definition Obstetric cholestasis is a multifactorial condition of

pregnancy characterised by pruritus in the absence of a skin rash with abnormal liver function tests (LFTs), and both of which resolve after birth.

Usually occurring in the last trimester of pregnancy. It can, however, occur earlier in gestations.

Investigations to exclude other causes of pruritusand of abnormal LFTs should be performed.

RCOG, Guideline , 2011

Background

Prevalence is influenced by genetic and environmental factors and varies between populations worldwide .

In England, obstetric cholestasis affects 0.7% of pregnancies in multiethnic populations and 1.2–1.5% of women of Indian–Asian or Pakistani–Asian origin.

In Chile, 2.4% of all pregnancies are affected . In Indian:- 5% of all pregnancies are affected .


History

In 1987, Wilson reported the first case of

intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy in an African-American

patient. RCOG, Guideline , 2011

Histology The periportal areas show no change, and the

hepatocellular architecture remains undisturbed.

The centrilobular areas, however, reveal dilated bile canaliculi, many containing bile plugs.

Ultrastructurally, there appears to be some destruction and atrophy of microvilli in the bile canaliculi.

These changes tend to regress after pregnancy.


Risk Factors

1. Personal or family history of obstetric cholestasis.

2. Multiple pregnancy. 3. Carriage of hepatitis C. 4. Presence of gallstones.


Diagnosis1. Unexplained pruritus

and Abnormal (LFTs)

2. Raised bile acids.These acids are deposited in the skin and probably cause the

extreme pruritus.

1. Other causes of itching and of liver dysfunction should be excluded.

2. Postnatal resolution of pruritus and abnormal LFTs should be confirmed.

And/ Or

Grade CRCOG, Guideline , 2011

Pruritus in pregnancy

It is common, affecting 23% of pregnancies, of which a small proportion will have obstetric cholestasis.


Pruritus of Cholestasis1- worse at night2- often

widespread and may involve the palms of the hands and/or the soles of the feet.

1. Other evidence of cholestasis should be sought, including pale stool, dark urine and jaundice.

2. Other causes of pruritus must be excluded such as eczema or atopic eruption of pregnancy.


Pruritus in pregnancy (cont.)

If a rash is present, polymorphic eruption of pregnancy or pemphigoid gestations (blisters) should be considered. RCOG, Guideline ,

2011

Jaundice Approximately, 2 weeks later, clinical jaundice will

develop in 50 % of cases.

The jaundice is usually mild, soon plateaus, and remains constant until delivery.

The pruritus worsens with the onset of jaundice, and the patient's skin can become excoriated.

The symptoms usually abate within 2 days after delivery.


Laboratory abnormalities

Unexplained abnormalities in

1- Transaminases, 2-Gamma-Glutamyl

Transferase 3. Bile salts are considered sufficient to

support the diagnosis of obstetric

cholestasis.

1. Alkaline phosphatase (non specific as it is placental in origin so, it is not reflect liver disease).

2. Bilirubin is raised only infrequently.

And/ Or

Pregnancy-specific reference ranges for LFTs

should be used (20% of non pregnant value)


Differential Diagnosis

Other causes of pruritus and abnormal LFTs should be sought:-

1. viral screen for hepatitis A, B, and C, EBV, CMV.

2. primary biliary cirrhosis (for example, anti-smooth

muscle and antimitochondrial antibodies). (liver ultrasound)

3. Pre-eclampsia and acute fatty liver of pregnancy are pregnancy-specific causes of abnormal LFTs that might form part of the differential diagnosis in atypical or early cases.RCOG, Guideline ,

2011

Maternal morbidity 1. Intense pruritus and Consequent sleep

deprivation.2. Increase Rate Of CS.3. Increase Risk Of PPH.4. If cholestasis lasts for several wks,

liver dysfunction may result in: i. Decreased vitamin K re-absorption or ii. Decreased prothrombin production, leading to

a prolongation of the prothrombin time.


Fetal risks

1. Preterm Birth.2. Meconium Passage.3. Still Birth.4. Perinatal Mortality.


Preterm birthObstetricians should be aware (and should

advise women) that the incidence of premature birth, especially iatrogenic, is increased.

Spontaneouspreterm birth(range 4-12%)

Iatrogenic preterm birth(range 7–25%)

Grade BRCOG, Guideline , 2011

Meconium Passage

More common in preterm obstetric cholestasis pregnancies than in term obstetric cholestasis pregnancies (25% compared with 12%)

More common in cases with severe cholestasis (defined as bile acids over 40 micromoles/litre) compared with mild cholestasis (bile acids under 20 micromoles/litre) (10% compared with 0 %)

Women should be advised of the increased likelihood of meconium passage in pregnancies affected by obstetric cholestasis.


Still Birth

The current additional risk of stillbirth in obstetric cholestasis above that of the general population has not been determined but is likely to be

For England and Wales in 1980, the perinatal mortality rate was 13.4, 8.3 in 2002 and 5.4 in 2008

Small


Caesarean Section Caesarean section rates are high,

ranging from 10% to 36%.

It is difficult to establish the relative roles played of obstetric cholestasis itself, of induction of labour/other obstetric indications and of obstetrician/patient anxiety.


Postpartum haemorrhage

Despite physiological reasons and a high caesarean section rate, which might suggest an increased risk of postpartum haemorrhage, evidence from current practice does not show this.


Monitoring Measure LFTs weekly until delivery If LFTs return to normal, obstetric cholestasis

is not likely to be the correct diagnosis. If LFTs escalate very rapidly, additional

diagnoses need to be considered and the frequency of monitoring increased.

A coagulation screen should be performed. blood pressure measurement and urine

check, allow monitoring of the condition and exclusion of other diagnoses.


Can fetal death be predicted and prevented?

Poor outcome cannot currently be predicted by biochemical results and delivery decisions should not be based on results alone.

No specific method of antenatal fetal monitoring for the prediction of fetal death can be recommended.

Ultrasound and CTG are not reliable methods for preventing fetal death in cholestasis.

Continuous fetal monitoring in labour should be offered.

Grade B

Grade DGrade C


It Is Difficult to predict fetal death ??

Until the pathophysiology of obstetric cholestasis and fetal death is more clearly defined and the level of risk is clarified, prediction and prevention of fetal death will remain challenging.

Fetal death is usually sudden. There is no evidence of placental insufficiency. Fetal growth restriction and oligohydramnios are not features of the disease.


Management

Women with obstetric cholestasis should be booked in under consultant-led, team based care and give birth in a hospital unit.


Should women with obstetric cholestasis be offered elective early delivery??

A discussion should take place with women regarding induction of labour after 37+0 weeks of gestation.

Women should be informed of the increased risk of perinatal morbidity from early intervention (after 37+0 weeks of gestation).

Women should be informed of the inability to predict stillbirth if the pregnancy continues.

Women should be informed that the case for intervention (after 37+0 weeks of gestation) may be stronger in those with more severe biochemical abnormality (transaminases and bile acids). Grade BRCOG, Guideline ,

2011

Treatment There is no evidence that any

specific treatment improves fetal or neonatal outcomes.

All such therapies should be discussed with the individual woman with this in mind.


Topical emollients

(calamine lotion and aqueous cream with menthol).

Safe but their efficacy

is unknownGrade CRCOG, Guideline ,

2011

Systemic treatments

Aim:- relieve pruritus1. Colestyramine. 2. Antihistamines such as chlorphenamine

may provide some but not significant impact on pruritus.

3. Activated charcoal and guar gum do not relieve pruritus.


Cholestyramine (Cholestran Pack 4

gm). A total of 8 to 16 g/day in three to four divided

doses A. A poorly tolerated bile acid-

chelating agent.B. May improve pruritus in some

womenC. May also exacerbate vitamin K

deficiency (fetal ICH), check PT weekly

D. No randomised trials and is not in clinical use .

S-adenosyl methionine

There is insufficient evidence to demonstrate whether it is effective for either control of maternal symptoms or for improving fetal outcome

It is not recommended

Grade ARCOG, Guideline , 2011

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) Improves pruritus and liver function. No robust data concerning protection

against stillbirth and safety to the fetus or neonate.

Mechanism of action:-

enhance bile acid clearance across the placenta, This

may protect the hepatocyte membrane from the

damaging toxicity of bile salts.

RCOG, Guideline , 2011 Grade A

Dexamethasone

should not be first-line therapy for treatment of obstetric cholestasis, nor should it be used outside of a randomised controlled trial without a thorough consultation with the woman.

The results are conflicting, with some improvement in symptoms and biochemistry in some women.

10 mg orally for 7 days and then stopping over 3 days

RCOG, Guideline , 2011 Grade D

Role of vitamin K Obstetric cholestasis can result in:-

1. Reduced absorption of dietary fats due to failure of excretion of bile salts into the GIT and reduced micelle formation.

2. Increased fat excretion (subclinically or clinically apparent as steatorrhoea) has been reported to affect the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins including vitamin K, which is required for the manufacture of coagulation factors 11,V11, 1X and X.


vitamin K

When the prothrombin time is prolonged, the use of water-soluble vitamin K (menadiol sodium phosphate) is indicated.

When prothrombin time is normal, vitamin K in low doses should be used only after careful counselling about the likely benefits but small theoretical risk.

Postnatal vitamin K must be offered to the babies in the usual way

5- 10 mg daily oral, aiming to improve both maternal and neonatal levels, which are assumed to be deficient, and therefore reduce postpartum haemorrhage and fetal or neonatal bleeding

Grade D

POSTNATAL LFTs should be deferred for at least 10

days postnatally (6-8 wks) In normal pregnancy, LFTs may increase

in the first 10 days of the puerperium.

Postnatal resolution of symptoms and of biochemical abnormalities is required to secure the diagnosis.

Grade D

Evidence level IIIRCOG, Guideline ,

2011

contraceptive choices

Usually avoiding Estrogen- containing methods.


Recurrence Intrahepatic cholestasis tends to

recur in subsequent pregnancies, but the severity may vary from one pregnancy to the next.

In their Chilean study, Gonzalez et al. reported a recurrence rate of 70 % in singleton pregnancies.

THANK YOU

Obstetric Cholestasis Green-top Guideline No. 43 April 2011

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