You have full text access to this OnlineOpen article

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

  1. Catherine Williamson1,2,
  2. Laura M. Hems1,
  3. Dimitrios G. Goulis1,
  4. Ian Walker3,
  5. Jennifer Chambers1,
  6. Oscar Donaldson1,
  7. Michael de Swiet2,
  8. Desmond G. Johnston1

Article first published online: 21 MAY 2004

DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2004.00167.x

Issue

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Volume 111, Issue 7, pages 676–681, July 2004

Additional Information

How to Cite

Williamson, C., Hems, L. M., Goulis, D. G., Walker, I., Chambers, J., Donaldson, O., de Swiet, M. and Johnston, D. G. (2004), Clinical outcome in a series of cases of obstetric cholestasis identified via a patient support group. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 111: 676–681. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2004.00167.x

Author Information

  1. 1

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

  2. 2

    Division of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, UK

  3. 3

    Department of Biochemistry, Wexham Park Hospital, Slough, Berkshire, UK

*Dr C. Williamson, Maternal and Fetal Disease Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 21 MAY 2004
  2. Article first published online: 21 MAY 2004

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (220K)

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.

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (220K)