OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether dexamethasone suppression of fetoplacental oestrogen production can reduce obstetric cholestasis.

METHODS

Observational study.

METHODS

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Tampere, Finland.

METHODS

10 women, at between 28 and 37 weeks gestation, with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

METHODS

Treatment with 12 mg oral dexamethasone daily for 7 days, after which the therapy was gradually discontinued over 3 days.

METHODS

Serum oestriol, oestradiol, total bile acids and ALAT were measured before and during therapy and on days 4 and 7 and ALAT also on day 12. Differences were tested by paired t test.

RESULTS

Itching disappeared or was relieved in all patients. Serum oestriol level fell significantly by day 1 of treatment, serum oestradiol and total bile acid levels by day 4 and ALAT by day 12 from the beginning of the therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Dexamethasone is a drug of choice in the treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.