Abnormal Fetal Cardiac Function and Umbilical Cord Blood Brain Natriuretic Peptide Levels in Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy
Abnormal Fetal Cardiac Function and Umbilical Cord Blood Brain Natriuretic Peptide Levels in Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy
Introduction:We aim to evaluate fetal cardiac function and umbilical cord blood pro-BNP (pro-brain natriuretic peptide) levels in ICP (intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy). Methods:The study included 41 ICP cases and 41 controls. All participants were evaluated after 34 weeks of gestation. The pro-BNP levels in umbilical cord blood were assayed, and perinatal outcomes were compared between the groups. Results: In the ICP group SBA (serum bile acid) and pro-BNP levels were higher than the control group (p<0.001 and p=0.001). The left MPI (myocardial performance index) of ICP group was higher among the control group (p=0.043). A positive correlation was evaluated between the proBNP levels and MPI values (p<0.001). Conclusion: Both the high MPI values obtained via ultrasonography and the high pro-BNP levels detected in umbilical cord blood may be attributable to the adverse fetal cardiac effects of ICP.