A case-control review of placentas from patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

Objective: To compare the incidence of histopathological features in placentas from women with cholestasis of pregnancy to healthy individuals without ICP. Methods: Placentas from mothers with and without cholestasis of pregnancy were reviewed by a pathologist masked to the study group. Subjects were excluded if they had medical problems already associated with placental histopathology. Results: Twenty-four cases and 30 controls placentas were reviewed. Seventeen placental histopathological features were found. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Amongst patients with cholestasis, there was a decrease in villitis of unknown etiology in those treated with ursodeoxycholic acid. Conclusion: There is no difference in the placental histopathology in cholestasis of pregnancy compared to normal pregnancies, but treatment of patients with cholestasis of pregnancy with ursodeoxycholic acid may decrease findings of villitis of unknown etiology.