Increased levels of the novel hepatokine fetuin B in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate liver-derived plasma protein fetuin B levels in healthy pregnant women and pregnant women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Forty women with ICP and 40 healthy pregnant women were included in this cross-sectional study. The serum fetuin B levels of these patients were analyzed. The patients were followed up to delivery.

RESULTS

Maternal age, gravida, parity, BMI at assessment, and gestational age at blood sampling were similar between the ICP and control groups (p > .05). However, the gestational age at delivery and the birth weight were significantly lower in the ICP group (p < .05). Total bile acid (TBA) levels and liver function tests were significantly higher in the ICP group than in the control group (p < .0001 and < .0001, respectively). In addition, serum fetuin B concentrations were significantly higher in the ICP group than in the control group (p < .0001). The best cutoff for fetuin B serum concentration was 5540.2 pg/mL. Serum values greater than this threshold had 80% sensitivity and 65% specificity for the diagnosis of ICP.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum fetuin B was higher in patients with ICP compared to healthy pregnant women and might be a new biomarker.