Role of ischemia-modified albumin in the evaluation of oxidative stress in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to investigate the ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) level, and the IMA/albumin ratio (IMAR) in healthy pregnant women, and pregnant women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 53 women with ICP and 52 healthy pregnant women. Their serum IMA and albumin levels were analyzed, and the women were followed up to delivery.

RESULTS

No significant intergroup differences were identified in maternal age, body mass index, and gestational age at the time that the blood samples were taken. The gestational age at delivery and the serum albumin level was significantly lower (p = .002 and p < .0001, respectively) in the ICP group than in the healthy pregnant women. Although no differences in IMA levels were shown between the groups, IMA/albumin levels were higher in the ICP group than in the healthy pregnant women (p = .004).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum IMA levels did not differ between pregnant women with ICP and healthy pregnant women, while the IMAR was significantly higher in the ICP group versus the healthy pregnant women.