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Am J Perinatol 2013; 30(05): 389-394
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1326982
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Bile Acid Concentration Reference Ranges in a Pregnant Latina Population

Richard H. Lee
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
,
Joseph G. Ouzounian
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
,
Thomas M. Goodwin
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
,
Marc H. Incerpi
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
,
David A. Miller
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
,
Ke Zhang
2   Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute, San Juan Capistrano, California
,
Michael P. Caulfield
2   Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute, San Juan Capistrano, California
,
Richard Reitz
2   Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute, San Juan Capistrano, California
,
Frank Z. Stanczyk
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

17 November 2011

24 May 2012

Publication Date:
16 November 2012 (online)

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Abstract

Objective The total bile acid (TBA) concentration criterion for diagnosing intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy varies in the published literature. The purpose of this study was to establish pregnancy-specific reference ranges for the TBA concentration among Latina women.

Study Design Self-identified Latina women (n = 211) over 18 years of age with a singleton pregnancy were recruited and had random serum samples drawn during the second and third trimesters. The total and fractionated bile acid concentrations were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and reference ranges were calculated. Laboratory-provided general reference ranges from a general population of adult men and nonpregnant women were used for comparison.

Results The TBA reference range for our Latina pregnant population (<8.5 µmol/L) was markedly lower than the laboratory-provided reference range (4.5 to 19.2 µmol/L).

Conclusion These data suggest that the upper TBA concentration reference range in our Latina pregnant population is 8.5 µmol/L, based on LC-MS/MS measurements.

Keywords

cholestasis - pregnancy - bile - acid - range

Notes

Presented at the 78th Annual Pacific Coast Obstetrical and Gynecological Society Meeting, Sun River, Oregon, September 15–18, 2011.


 

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