Signs and Symptoms
Most women with this condition present in third trimester with intense itching without a rash. Generally, the itching is localized to the abdomen, legs, palms, and soles, but can be generalized.
Hallmarks of ICP include the following symptoms:
Most common:
- Itching, in particular but not limited to that of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, without presence of a rash
- Itching that increases in the evening
- Itching that does not respond favorably to anti-histamines or other anti-itch remedies
- Often, elevated LFT results as well as serum bile acid counts
Less common:
- Darker urine
- Lighter stools
- Increased clotting time (due to possibly associated vitamin K deficiency)
- Fatigue
- Increased nausea
- Decrease in appetite
- Jaundice
- Upper right quadrant pain
It is important to note that not all ICP sufferers have all of the above symptoms. For example, Jaundice only occurs in relatively small subset of cases, and in some cases abnormal lab results were not seen until 15 weeks or more after the onset of symptoms.
Read more about this topic: Intrahepatic Cholestasis Of Pregnancy
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