Medical Information

 

Annals of Hepatology - a link on ICP and the use of UDCA for it's management.

San Gabriel Valley Prenatal Newsletter - an excellent overview of ICP and it's treatment. (it does suggest cholestyramine as a treatment, but explains why it may not be as good to use)

Elsevier.com - This is an in depth medical report on ICP and includes a wide range of information regarding it's treatment, management and also the genetic and biological factors that may be involved. It also documents cholestyramine as no longer being a first-line treatment for ICP.

American Family Physician - This article has a brief overview of ICP, as well as other Liver Diseases in Pregnancy. It also contains a convincing paragraph about the use of UDCA and discourages the use of cholestyramine.

 

Ursodeoxycholic Acid Information (UDCA)

Wiley InterScience- Study showing UDCA is currently the best pharmacologic treatment option for women with ICP.

Falk Foundation Abstracts - this is an excellent medical compilation of abstracts that contains beneficial information. In top right search enter Cholestasis of pregnancy or Ursodeoxcholic Acid.

Drugs.com - this link provides a general overview of Actigall and it's side affects.

March of Dimes - Overview of ICP and treatment with UDCA.

 

Other ICP /OC Website Resources

Royal College of Obstetrician and Gynaecologists Guidelines

Research Index - Additional index from the Royal College of OBG – Once in this page, in the right side search box, type cholestasis of pregnancy.

British Liver Trust - Overview of symptoms, diagnosis, Treatments & more.

The Obstetric Cholestasis Support website - Jenny Chambers of the UK is part of the OC research team and has the UK OC Support website.

Prenatal Institute - an excellent article that includes notes from various medical abstracts on the subject of ICP it's management as well as it's patholphysiology.

Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine - The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine has a physician locater.You can enter the State you reside in on the physician locator form and scroll down the list to find the nearest MFM specialist. Please click on this link if you need additional help locating a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist.

 

Research

Imperial College of London - OC Research Team, click on links in red within the page to read research findings.

Wiley Interscience - Case Studies on ICP and other liver conditions related to it.

 

Bile Acids

Bile Acids - excellent write up on bile acids and excess bile acids in the body.

Cholestyramine & Colestipol Links - to be used against the use if necessary.

Drugs.com - This link provides a general overview of cholestyramine, the many brand names it may go by, it's use, and it's side affects.

Drugs.com - a general overview of colestipol, another cholesterol binding agent that is similar to cholestyramine.

RX List.com - this page contains the precautions for cholestyramine.

Captain Clark.com - an article detailing the carcinogenity of cholesterol binding agents. Good ammunition for doctors who won't prescribe Actigall!

 

Diet Information

The Healthy Liver Book - lots of great info, including recipes, for liver patients.

 

Bereavement Support

AMEND - Aiding Mothers and Fathers Experiencing Neonatal Death.

Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society

International Stillbirth Alliance