Severe cholestasis–associated coagulopathy diagnosed by routine screening: a case report

Abstract

Recent case reports suggest an association between severe intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies, including vitamin K deficiency. Screening for coagulopathy and fat-soluble vitamin deficiency has been proposed as a possible strategy to identify pregnancies at additional risk of adverse outcomes and allow for earlier risk-reducing iatrogenic preterm delivery. This report highlights a case of routine screening that resulted in the detection of subclinical coagulopathy that allowed for earlier intervention and delivery of a healthy neonate at 34 weeks of gestation. Further prospective studies are needed to determine the clinical use of routine screening in detecting coagulopathy and fat-soluble vitamin deficiency in cases of severe cholestasis.

Keywords

• bile acids
• case report
• cholestasis
• fat-soluble vitamins
• liver transplant
• vitamin K