Treatment of obstructive jaundice in erythroblastosis fetalis with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA): a case report.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To report a significant improvement of direct hyperbilirubinemia values, in an infant with cholestasis secondary to erythroblastosis fetalis, after treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA).

STUDY DESIGN:

Case report.

RESULTS:

A full term infant, with total and direct bilirubin values of 26 mg/dl (445 micromol/l) and 24.5 mg/dl (419 micromol/l), respectively, on the third day of life, had total and direct bilirubin values of 8.2 mg/dl (140 micromol/l) and 6.9 mg/dl (118 micromol/l), respectively, after 2 days of treatment with UDCA. Because the natural course of this cholestasis takes several weeks to resolve, the observed improvement is highly suggestive of a direct effect of UDCA on the disease course.

CONCLUSION:

This treatment may add a new therapeutic option to the limited measures available for this condition, although further studies regarding safety and its mechanism of action are needed before it can be routinely recommended.

• Authors: E M Perez, T R Cooper, A A Moise, G D Ferry, L E Weisman
• Journal: Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association (J Perinatol) 1998 Jul-Aug Vol. 18 Issue 4 Pg. 317-9 ISSN: 0743-8346 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9730206 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cholagogues and Choleretics
• Ursodeoxycholic Acid

Topics

• Cholagogues and Choleretics (therapeutic use)
• Erythroblastosis, Fetal (complications)
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Jaundice, Neonatal (drug therapy, etiology)
• Male
• Ursodeoxycholic Acid (therapeutic use)