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  • Title: [Significance of pruritus during pregnancy. Relations with the hepatic disorders of gestation].
    Author: Gagnaire JC, Descos L, Magnin P.
    Journal: Nouv Presse Med; 1975 Apr 12; 4(15):1105-8. PubMed ID: 1134931.
    Abstract:
    The principal clinical and biological characteristics and the origin of pruritus of pregnancy (p.p.) which occurs in a little more than two pregnancies per thousand are considered in the light of 7 cases. As with recurrent jaundice of pregnancy (r.j.p.), of which pruritus represents a minor analogue, the symptoms occur solely during pregnancy and disappear after delivery. In p.p. signs of cholestasis are seen, more marked than in a normal pregnancy coming to term but less than in icterus gravidarum. The increase in transaminases seen in p.p. and r.j.p. does not occur in normal pregnancy. The two conditions, which may be grouped together under the term hepatogestosis, are benign as far as the mother is concerned but represent a definite and significant risk of prematurity for the child. It is possible to establish a relation between p.p. and/or r.j.p. and the hepatic manifestations associated with oral contraceptives. In both instances a genetic predisposition seems to favour the development of a cholestatic syndrome. A past history of p.p. represents a contraindication to the use of oral contraceptives. Cholestyramine, a bile salt chelator, gives excellent results in persistent p.p. 7 cases of pruritus in pregnancy are reported and their laboratory findings compared with a group of normal pregnant women; then pruritus is reviewed with respect to diagnosis, pathogenesis, therapy, and prognosis. The 7 women developed pruritus in 28-38 weeks of typically the 2nd pregnancy, although during oral contraception in 1 woman. The frequency was about 2/1000 pregnancies. Lab findings suggestive of cholestasis included normal prothrombin, elevated transaminaes, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, and slowed BSP clearance. None of these women had any history of hepatitis, medication, or positive Australia antigen. It is important in diagnosis to rule out infections, toxic or iatrogenic hepatitis, and especially herpes gestationis, which is teratogenic. Pruritus of pregnancy is identical to that seen during oral contraception, i.e., it is a less severe form of cholestatsis than jaundice. It can be treated with cholestyramine, or will regress spontaneously after delivery, but may cause prematurity.
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