Pictures of cholestasis in late pregnancy

Cholestasis is a disease that only occurs in pregnant women, and its incidence rate is relatively high. Perhaps about 3 out of every 100 pregnant women will develop cholestasis. Some pregnant women do not understand cholestasis, and cannot receive treatment immediately after developing the disease, so it is important to understand the symptoms. What are the main symptoms of cholestasis during pregnancy?

Symptoms of cholestasis during pregnancy

1. Itching: Itching without skin damage is the first symptom of ICP. About 80% of patients experience itching after 30 weeks of pregnancy, and some even earlier. The itching varies in severity and is often persistent, less severe during the day and more severe at night. The itching usually starts from the palms and soles of the feet, then gradually spreads to the proximal part of the body and can even develop to the face. This itching symptom often appears about 3 weeks on average before abnormal laboratory test results appear, and some patients may last for several months. It usually subsides within 24-48 hours after delivery, and rarely subsides within 1 week or more.

2. Jaundice: 10%-15% of patients experience mild jaundice, which generally does not worsen with the increase in the number of weeks of pregnancy. Whether or not ICP pregnant women have jaundice is closely related to the prognosis of the fetus. Patients with jaundice have significantly increased rates of meconium-stained amniotic fluid, neonatal asphyxia and perinatal mortality.

3. Skin scars. Strip-shaped scars appear on the skin of the limbs due to itching.

4. Generally, there are no obvious gastrointestinal symptoms. Very few pregnant women will experience upper abdominal discomfort and mild fatty dysentery.

Effects of intrahepatic cholestasis during pregnancy

1. Impact on pregnant women: When ICP patients have secondary significant steatorrhea, the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamin B12 is reduced, leading to abnormal coagulation and causing postpartum hemorrhage.

2. Impact on the fetus: Due to the toxic side effects of bile acid, the perinatal morbidity and mortality rates increase significantly. It can cause fetal distress, premature babies, and environmental contamination of the amniotic fluid, embryos and meconium of pregnant women. In addition, there are unpredictable sudden fetal death and intracranial hemorrhage in newborns.

If a pregnant woman suffers from cholestasis, it will have a great impact on herself and the baby in her belly. Therefore, if a pregnant woman finds that she has cholestasis, she must receive appropriate standard treatment. Even if she does not know that she has cholestasis, she should go to the hospital for a detailed examination in time. Although cholestasis is terrible, it can be cured with treatment.