Early treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid for cholestasis in children on parenteral nutrition because of primary intestinal failure

Background There is conflicting evidence as to whether ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) reduces the incidence of parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis. Aim To investigate the efficacy of UDCA on parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis in children with intestinal failure due to short bowel syndrome or to other causes. Methods Children with cholestasis received 30 mg/kg/day UDCA. Improvement or normalization of parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis was evaluated at 6 months of therapy and at the last follow-up. In a subgroup of children, serum UDCA levels were measured while receiving UDCA and after 4 weeks withdrawal. Results Twelve children were treated with UDCA. Full remission or partial improvement of parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis occurred in 11 of 12 children. In three of four children, withdrawal of UDCA was associated with a rebound rise of cholestasis. Only one of 12 treated children showed no improvement and in this patient, in contrast to four other patients, plasma levels of UDCA did not increase during treatment. Conclusions Ursodeoxycholic acid was effective in controlling parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis. The efficacy of UDCA also in children with short bowel is related to intestinal absorption.