Pilot study for a trial of ursodeoxycholic acid and/or early delivery for obstetric cholestasis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Obstetric cholestasis (OC) is a serious problem in pregnancy. It affects about 4500 women per year in the UK. Affected women develop itching and occasionally jaundice. More importantly, the condition is associated with premature delivery, fetal distress and is believed to be an important cause of stillbirth. However, even now, there is no clear evidence as to whether the most popular treatment, a drug called ursodeoxycholic acid is beneficial to the baby, or even if it is safe in pregnancy. Nor do we know whether planned early delivery of the baby at 37-38 weeks, another popular treatment, does more good than harm. A randomised trial to evaluate both ursodeoxycholic acid and timed delivery is needed but will be complicated and expensive. We plan a preliminary study, Pilo

SUBMITTER: Gurung V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2696408 | biostudies-literature | 2009 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature