Overview
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), also known as obstetric cholestasis or cholestasis of pregnancy, is a liver condition that happens during pregnancy. It causes bile — a digestive fluid made by the liver — to build up in the body instead of flowing normally. This buildup leads to intense itching, especially on the hands and feet, and can affect both the mother and the baby. The most noticeable symptom is severe itching without a rash, which usually starts in the second or third trimester. Some women also develop yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, or pale stools. Blood tests show raised levels of bile acids and liver enzymes, which help doctors confirm the diagnosis. For the mother, ICP usually goes away on its own after delivery. However, it raises the risk of complications for the baby, including premature birth and, in rare cases, stillbirth. The main treatment is a medication called ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), which helps lower bile acid levels and relieve itching. Doctors also closely monitor the baby and may recommend early delivery to reduce risks. Women who have had ICP are likely to experience it again in future pregnancies.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Intense itching all over the body, especially on the palms of the hands and soles of the feetItching that is worse at night and disrupts sleepYellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)Dark-colored urinePale or greasy stoolsFatigue and general tirednessLoss of appetiteMild upper right belly discomfortNausea
Clinical phenotype terms (27)— hover any for plain English
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
6 eventsImperial College London — PHASE2
Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy
Jena University Hospital
Peking University
Peking University
University Hospital, Brest
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.
3 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Serum Bile Acid Profiles in Patients With Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
New recruiting trial: Association of Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy and Chronic Placental Inflammation
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
Caregiver Resources
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Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How high are my bile acid levels, and what does that mean for my baby's risk?,Should I start ursodeoxycholic acid, and how will we know if it is working?,How often will my baby need to be monitored, and what tests will be done?,At what point would you recommend early delivery, and why?,What are the chances that ICP will come back in a future pregnancy?,Are there any long-term health risks for me after this pregnancy?,Should I be tested for genetic variants that might explain why I developed ICP?
Common questions about Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
What is Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy?
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), also known as obstetric cholestasis or cholestasis of pregnancy, is a liver condition that happens during pregnancy. It causes bile — a digestive fluid made by the liver — to build up in the body instead of flowing normally. This buildup leads to intense itching, especially on the hands and feet, and can affect both the mother and the baby. The most noticeable symptom is severe itching without a rash, which usually starts in the second or third trimester. Some women also develop yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, or pale stools.
How is Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy inherited?
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy typically begin?
Typical onset of Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy?
Yes — 3 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy?
14 specialists and care centers treating Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.