Parity-Dependent Pancreatic Morphological and Morphometric Changes in Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy: An Autopsy Study

Received: 2026-02-27

Published: 2026-04-30

Abstract

Aim. To characterise the morphological and morphometric changes of the pancreas, and their relationship with hepatic injury and pregnancy parity, in women who died with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).
Materials and Methods. An autopsy-based morphological and quantitative morphometric study was performed on liver and pancreatic tissue from 51 women who died with severe ICP (Republican Scientific and Practical Center of Pathological Anatomy, 2013–2023), compared with 12 fertile-age controls who died of acute myocardial infarction. Sections were stained with haematoxylin–eosin and digitised for morphometry (12 parameters) in 28 index cases and controls; means were compared using Student’s t-test.
Results. ICP livers showed centrilobular and midzonal hepatocellular cholestasis, bile-pigment accumulation, hydropic dystrophy and necrobiosis (54.2%), with canalicular bile stasis in 75% of cases. The pancreas showed bile reflux into major and lobular ducts, segmental acinar necrosis, vacuolar dystrophy, interstitial oedema, periductal infiltration and progressive fibrosis. All 12 morphometric indices differed significantly from controls (P<0.01–P<0.001), and severity increased with parity, being most pronounced in the third and fourth pregnancies.
Conclusion. ICP is a systemic, bile-acid-mediated toxic condition producing quantifiable, parity-dependent pancreatic injury alongside hepatic cholestasis, supporting closer pancreatic surveillance in severe or recurrent ICP.


 

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About the Authors

Bobur Khoshimov
Alfraganus University
Sherzod Kenjayev
Fergana Medical Institute of Public Health

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How to Cite

1.
Parity-Dependent Pancreatic Morphological and Morphometric Changes in Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy: An Autopsy Study. MSU [Internet]. 2026 Apr. 30 [cited 2026 Aug. 23];5(2):74-82. Available from: https://fdoctors.uz/index.php/journal/article/view/280

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