What bile acid level is considered abnormal in cases of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy?

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a liver disorder that occurs during pregnancy and is characterized by elevated levels of bile acids in the maternal circulation. The diagnosis of ICP is commonly associated with bile acid levels exceeding a certain threshold. A bile acid level greater than 10 micromol/L is generally considered abnormal and indicative of potential ICP.

The elevation of bile acids indicates that there is a disruption in the normal flow of bile, which can lead to significant symptoms such as pruritus and poses risks to the fetus, including preterm birth and fetal distress. This threshold is established based on clinical studies that have shown bile acid levels above this limit to correlate with the clinical condition and potential complications.

While higher levels of bile acids can also indicate worsening of the condition or increased severity, the most commonly recognized cutoff for diagnosis and management initiation is greater than 10 micromol/L.