Idiopathic Cholestasis of Pregnancy

Abstract

DURING the later months of normal pregnancy the serum activity of the enzymes nonspecific alkaline phosphatase, 5-nucleotidase and leucine aminopeptidase may exceed the serum levels in nonpregnant women.¹³ These changes in serum enzyme may be due in part to a release of enzymes from the placenta^{4 , 5} and in part to a decrease in the maternal hepatic excretory function, reflected also by a reduced clearance of bromsulfalein.^{6 , 7} Clinical manifestations of liver disease associated with more severe impairment of liver function have been described in a small percentage of pregnant women near term.^{1 , 8 , 12} In patients suffering from cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy generalized . . .