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Introduction: Pregnancy produces many cutaneous changes, some of which are specifically related to pregnancy (dermatoses of pregnancy), some are modifiable by pregnancy and others that are common are named physiologic. These physiologic skin changes, usually do not impair the health of the mother or the fetus but some of them can be cosmetically significant and of importance to the dermatologist. Aim: The present study was undertaken to find out the prevalence of the physiological and pathological skin changes in pregnancy, and to correlate the prevalence of the major cutaneous changes and diseases in relation to different trimesters of pregnancy and with gravidity. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the period of August 2008 to August 2010. Ethical clearance was sought from Institutional Ethical Committee. Five hundred pregnant women were randomly selected, irrespective of the duration of pregnancy and gravidity. Detailed history and complete dermatological examination was done. Results were tabulated and analysed. Statistical analysis was done by Fisher's exact test and Chi square test. Results: Physiological skin changes were seen in 94.8% of cases, with pigmentary changes being more common (90.8%). Specific dermatoses of pregnancy were observed in 14% of cases with pruritus gravidarum being the most common (10.4%). Prevalence of infection was found to 30.8% with fungal infection being the most common (23.8%). Exacerbations of systemic lupus erythematosus and neurofibromatosis was observed. Pigmentary changes, striae gravidarum and specific dermatoses of pregnancy were observed in statistically significant proportion in primigravidas and during third trimester. Conclusion: This study emphasizes that the prevalence of physiological skin changes (94.8%) was much higher than specific dermatoses (14%), stressing the fact that in most instances, the skin problems during pregnancy needs only reassurance. But meticulous observation and examination should be done, as pregnancy can influence many dermatological diseases and infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To assess the frequency of specific dermatoses of pregnancy in a tertiary care hospital. Patients and methods This cross sectional study was conducted on patients attending outpatient department of Dermatology, civil hospital, Karachi referred from the outpatient department of gynecology and obstetrics spanning, 1st May 2006 till 31st August 2006. Pregnant females of different age groups, both primigravida and multigravida fulfilling the selection criteria were enrolled. After an informed consent, selected patients were subjected to a detailed history and clinical examination. Diagnosis of the diseases was made clinically and relevant investigations were carried out where required. Results 100 patients, comprising 32 primigravida (32%) and 68 multigravida (68%), diagnosed as suffering from specific dermatoses of pregnancy completed the study. Minimum age of presentation was 20 years and maximum 44 years the mean age being 32±6.8 years. Prurigo of pregnancy (96%) was the most common dermatoses seen followed by pruritic folliculitis of pregnancy (2%), herpes gestationis (1%) and polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (1%). Amongst 96 patients (96%) suffering from prurigo of pregnancy, there were 28 primigravida (29%) and 68 multigravida (71%). Both the primigravida with pruritic folliculitis of pregnancy presented one each in the 2nd and 3rd trimester. Patients suffering from herpes gestationis and polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PUPP) were primigravida presenting in 2ndt trimester. Conclusion Specific dermatoses of pregnancy can present in any trimester. Prurigo of pregnancy remains the most common disorder followed by pruritic folliculitis of pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP; synonym: pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy) is the most common specific dermatosis of pregnancy. However, its clinical characterization is controversial and its pathogenesis uncertain. Objectives To evaluate clinical characteristics of and potential trigger factors for PEP in a large mixed ethnic population. Methods A retrospective analysis of epidemiological, clinical, immunopathological and obstetric findings in 181 patients with PEP seen at two university-based dermatological hospitals in Graz, Austria, and London, U.K. Results PEP mainly affected white (88%) primigravidae (70%) in late pregnancy (83%; mean ± SD onset 34 ± 5 weeks) or the immediate postpartum period (15%). The most commonly involved sites were the abdomen and proximal thighs (97%). Involvement of the whole skin, including the face, palms and soles, was only rarely observed. While pruritic urticarial papules and plaques were the main morphological features at disease onset (98%), more than one-half of the patients (51%) later developed polymorphous features including erythema, vesicles, and targetoid and eczematous lesions. Topical treatment with corticosteroids and emollients was sufficient to control symptoms in the majority of patients, and skin lesions resolved after a mean ± SD of 4 ± 3 weeks. Multiple gestation pregnancies were observed in 13% of cases, excessive maternal weight gain in 78%. Conclusions Our data confirm the benign, self-limiting nature of PEP and its favourable outcome for both the mother and the fetus. For the first time, we have documented a characteristic change in morphology with disease progression. The evidence of polymorphous clinical features in more than one-half of the patients favours the use of the term PEP. Multiple gestation pregnancies and excessive maternal weight gain, but not fetal weight and sex, were found to be significantly associated with PEP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPregnancy is associated with immunological, endocrine, metabolic and vascular changes that may adversely affect the skin. The specific dermatoses of pregnancy are disease entities almost exclusively related to the pregnancy or the puerperium. Learning objectiveAt the conclusion of this learning activity, participants should be aware of the main entities of the specific pregnancy dermatoses, their clinical presentations, the main diagnostic criteria and therapeutic options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]