Pregnancy and skin

Rita V Vora, Rajat Gupta, Malay J Mehta, Arvind H Chaudhari, Abhishek P Pilani, Nidhi Patel, Rita V Vora, Rajat Gupta, Malay J Mehta, Arvind H Chaudhari, Abhishek P Pilani, Nidhi Patel

Abstract

Pregnancy is associated with complex of endocrinological, immunological, metabolic, and vascular changes that may influence the skin and other organs in various ways. Pregnancy is a period in which more than 90% women have significant and complex skin changes that may have great impact on the woman's life. The dermatoses of pregnancy represent a heterogeneous group of skin diseases related to pregnancy and/or the postpartum period. The dermatoses of pregnancy can be classified into the following three groups: Physiologic skin changes in pregnancy, pre-existing dermatoses affected by pregnancy, and specific dermatoses of pregnancy. Though most of these skin dermatoses are benign and resolve in postpartum period, a few can risk fetal life and require antenatal surveillance. Most of the dermatoses of pregnancy can be treated conservatively but a few require intervention in the form of termination of pregnancy. Correct diagnosis is essential for the treatment of these disorders. This article discusses the current knowledge of various skin changes during pregnancy and the evaluation of the patient with pregnancy dermatoses with special emphasis on clinical features, diagnostic tests, maternal and fetal prognosis, therapy, and management.

Keywords: Dermatoses; pregnancy; skin.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Coincidence of specific dermatoses of pregnancies. AEP: Atopic eruption of pregnancy, PG: Pemphigoid gestationis, ICP: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, PEP: Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flow chart of pruritus during pregnancy. AEP: Atopic eruption of pregnancy, PG: Pemphigoid gestationis, ICP: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, PEP: Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, IMF: Immunoflorescence, HE: Histopathological examination, LAB: Laboratory investigations

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