Bile Acids Test For Obstetric Cholestasis, A Serious Complication Of Pregnancy, UK

Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Article Date: 07 Feb 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Obstetric Cholestasis is the most common liver disease during pregnancy, affecting one in 160 pregnancies in the UK. Flow through the bile ducts is restricted and the level of bile acids in the blood rises causing severe itching, often worst in the palms and the soles of the feet. The itching can be so persistent that the skin becomes abraded and bleeds. In addition, dietary fats are not absorbed properly causing vitamin K levels to drop and increasing the risk of excessive bleeding in both mother and baby. Obstetric Cholestasis is linked to foetal distress, premature labour, and stillbirth, therefore accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial.

A bile acids test is the most sensitive test for Obstetric Cholestasis. The bile acids level rises in other conditions, however, such as acute fatty liver of pregnancy, hepatitis, and liver cirrhosis. Liver function tests such as ALT (alanine transaminase), alkaline phosphatase and gamma GT (glutamyl transpeptidase) are used to rule out the possibility of other liver conditions. Randox Laboratories' 5th generation bile acids assay can be used to diagnose Obstetric Cholestasis, combined with the full range of liver function tests from Randox.

Treatment for Obstetric Cholestasis involves frequent ultrasound scans to monitor for foetal distress. Rest and periodic liver tests are recommended for the mother and medications can alleviate the symptoms. Delivery is often induced at around 37-38 weeks to reduce the risk of stillbirth. Obstetric Cholestasis spontaneously resolves after the baby has been delivered, this is confirmed by bile acid levels returning to normal.

Randox is an international diagnostics company, headquartered in the UK. Randox develop, manufacture and market clinical diagnostic products worldwide. Core products are: Biochip Array Technology; clinical chemistry analysers and reagents; quality controls and EQA; environmental diagnostics; recombinant proteins and antibodies.

http://www.randox.com