Studies in cholestasis of pregnancy. IV. Serum lipids and lipoproteins in relation to duration of symptoms and severity of the disease, and fatty acid composition of lecithin in relation to duration of symptoms.

Pregnant women with pruritus and with cholestasis of pregnancy verified from the medical history and by the presence of lipoprotein-X in serum have been studied. Thirty-nine patients were investigated for serum lipids (cholesterol, phospholipids, and triglycerides), serum lipoproteins (high-density-lipoproteins cholesterol and estimated low-density-lipoproteins cholesterol), and for hematological data (serum iron and serum iron binding capacity), in relation to duration of pruritus. In 28 patients the serum lecithin concentrations and fatty acid compositions were also analysed. Severity and duration of the disease appeared to influence the lipid/lipoprotein metabolism. The results support the hypothesis of an abnormal reaction of liver metabolism to estrogens in the initial stage of cholestasis of pregnancy.