I ntrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a rare disorder of unknown cause that may develop during the third or second trimester of pregnancy and resolves rapidly after delivery. The chief complaint is pruritus, and serum liver tests reveal a mild cholestasis with increased levels of bile salts and aminotransferases. ICP may cause fetal distress, with stillbirths or premature deliveries leading to increased perinatal morbidity and mortality. 1,2 The pathogenesis of ICP appears to be multifactorial. Potential contributors include a genetic predisposition interacting with the effects of estrogen and progesterone metabolites on bile secretory mechanisms. 3 The influence of environmental factors has been suggested by the observation of a seasonal variability in the incidence of ICP, with highest rates reported during winter, a recurrence rate of only 45% to 70% in subsequent pregnancies of multiparous women, and the decrease in the prevalence of ICP detected in Sweden and Chile during recent decades. 4 Therefore, identifying factors that may explain these epidemiological changes appear to be important.The gastrointestinal mucosal epithelium is an essential barrier that normally restricts the passage of harmful molecules into the mucosa and systemic circulation. An increased intestinal permeability has been observed in patients with enteric damage, such as in inflammatory From the