Objective      To explore the effect of properly prolonging gestational age of pregnant women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) on perinatal outcomes.       Methods      A total of 1 697 pregnant women with ICP from January 2003 to December 2010 in Southwest hospital were divided into a routine treatment group (pregnant women in 2003-2007 year) and an active treatment group (pregnant women in 2008-2010 year

receiving active treatment to prolong the gestational age). The delivery gestational age

premature birth and perinatal stillbirth rate were statistically analyzed

and the perinatal outcomes were compared.       Results      The pregnant women aged from 20 to 41 years old

with mean age of (28.2±3.8) years old and gestational age of 32-41 weeks. There were 1 761 fetuses delivered

including 64 cases of twins. There were 980 pregnant women in the routine treatment group

with 1 017 fetuses delivered

including 37 cases of twins. The routine treatment group included 216 cases of premature birth 22.04% (216/980)

9 cases of stillbirth 0.918% (9/980)

and 169 cases of iatrogenic premature birth 78.24% (169/216). There were 717 pregnant women in the active treatment group

with 744 fetuses delivered

including 27 cases of twins. The active treatment group included 99 cases of premature birth 13.8% (99/717)

4 cases of stillbirth 0.55% (4/717)

and 54 cases of iatrogenic premature birth 54.54% (54/99). Compared with the routine treatment group

the active treatment group had significantly reduced newborn premature birth rate and iatrogenic premature birth rate (P0.05)

but during the same period

the perinatal mortality of both the groups had no significant difference (P0.05).       Conclusion      After active treatment for ICP

the pregnant women and fetuses receive dynamic observation

and the gestational age is prolonged as long as possible if the conditions are permitted

which can reduce the incidence of iatrogenic premature birth without increase of perinatal mortality.