Active clinical trials for "Cholestasis"

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a liver disorder of pregnancy that typically presents in late pregnancy with generalised itching. ICP is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy complications, including premature labour, fetal distress, and stillbirth. Models of the fetal heart (using cells from rodents) have shown that high bile acids levels cause an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia), which may be the cause of stillbirth. High levels of bile acids also cause preterm labour in animal models. This pilot study aims to assess whether severe ICP, defined as maternal serum bile acid levels ≥40μmol/L, is associated with abnormal fetal heart rhythms and abnormal myometrial contractility, which may lead to preterm birth. Fetal heart rhythms and myometrial contractility will be recorded using a portable electrocardiogram (ECG) device, the Monica AN24. This monitors the fetal heart and myometrial activity via stickers applied to the mother's abdomen. It also records the maternal ECG. It will also study women with uncomplicated pregnancy, in order to make comparisons. The importance of maternal position during sleep has also more recently been established, with some studies demonstrating an association between the risk of stillbirth and the position the mother was sleeping in. Work by Stone et al published this year has shown that the maternal sleep position has a significant impact on the fetal sleep state and fetal heart rate, (in particular something called the fetal RMSSD value). The researchers therefore wish to identify any potential correlation between fetal heart arrhythmia and maternal sleep position. To do this they will use a Zephyr BioPatchTM which provides a clear indication of whether the patient was in left lateral, right lateral or supine position.

For some years investigators have known that the health of fathers at the time their baby is conceived has an influence on the health of their child in the future. Many studies looking at this effect have investigated fathers with obesity and other metabolic disorders. These disorders can alter the risk of obesity and diabetes in the children of these men. More recently, studies have been undertaken to establish the mechanism by which this risk is inherited by the children. Studies of sperm have identified that changes in the structure and function of the sperm play a role. Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) and Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) are included in a group of cholestatic liver disorders that are associated with elevated levels of bile acids in the blood (cholestasis). A previous study has established that children born to women who have cholestasis during pregnancy are at an increased risk of obesity later in life. Our study will investigate whether there is a similar effect on the health of children if their father has cholestasis. The study has 2 arms, the Sperm Epigenome arm and the Outcomes arm. In the Sperm Epigenome arm of the study, the structure and function of sperm from men with PSC, PBC and other cholestatic liver disorders will be investigated and compared to the structure and function of sperm from healthy men. In the Outcomes arm of the study, basic health parameters of fathers who had PSC, PBC or another cholestatic liver disease either before or after their child was conceived will be studied. Basic health parameters will also be studied in their child when the child is between 16 and 25 years of age.

To provide treatment access to patients with PFIC in the US who have pruritus and elevated serum bile acids and who are not able to enroll in A4250-008 (PEDFIC2) for the following reasons: 1) Do not meet eligibility criteria for PEDFIC 2; 2) Are not able to get to a PEDFIC 2 site for geographical reasons, and 3) Do meet the eligibility criteria for PEDFIC 2 after recruitment has been completed

This expanded access protocol is for infants or children with conditions preventing them from taking in enough nutrients from food and must receive nutrition intravenously. Standard intravenous nutrition contains fat emulsion made from soybean. If this fat emulsion is given over a long period of time, it can cause problems within the liver and if persistent and not addressed can even lead to severe and/or permanent injury to the liver. It is believed that a type of fish oil blend, called Omegaven®, may be used in place of the soybean fat blend. The Omegaven® fish oil blend may greatly reduce the risk of liver injury. Omegaven® is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is only offered under an "expanded access" protocol as an alternative to the soybean fat blend.

To provide children dependent on total parenteral nutrition with Omegaven®, a fish oil-based intravenous lipid emulsion that may be less hepatotoxic than conventional, vegetable oil-based intravenous lipid emulsions, and that may therefore reduce the need for liver transplantation.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is a disease specific to pregnancy period; especially late second and third trimester. We aimed to investigate the role of apoptosis in etiopathogenesis of obstetric cholestasis.

The purpose of this study is to assess the interobserver agreement (IOV) for pancreatico-biliary Volumetric Laser Endomicroscopy (VLE) de-identified clips using the new VLE criteria. This is an Interobserver study to validate VLE criteria for indeterminate biliary and pancreatic duct strictures and evaluate impact on clinical management.

To assess the occurrence of 11 SNP's in ABCB11 and ABCB4 genes in Greek women with ICP compared with healthy pregnant women. Moreover, these genetic polymorphisms will be examined in their first-degree relatives.

The investigators will try to predict the risk of esophageal varices (EVs) in long-term BA survivors using noninvasive computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) indices and the measurement of transverse diameters of paraesophageal and gastroesophageal veins.