Dermatoses of Pregnancy: Clues to Diagnosis, Fetal Risk, and Therapy
January 2011
in “
Annals of Dermatology
”
TLDR The document concludes that specific itchy skin diseases during pregnancy have varying fetal risks and treatments, including corticosteroids and other medications.
The document from 2011 reviewed specific dermatoses of pregnancy, which are pruritic skin diseases including pemphigoid gestationis, polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, and atopic eruption of pregnancy. Pemphigoid gestationis, characterized by severe itching and the potential for prematurity and small-for-date babies, is diagnosed with immunofluorescence and treated with corticosteroids and possibly immunosuppressants post-delivery. Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy is benign, resolves post-delivery, and is treated with topical corticosteroids and antihistamines. Intrahepatic cholestasis presents with severe pruritus and increased fetal risks, treated with ursodeoxycholic acid and close monitoring. Atopic eruption of pregnancy affects those with a history of atopic dermatitis or new atopic skin changes, with no fetal risk and treatment involving emollients, corticosteroids, and possibly systemic corticosteroids, antihistamines, or phototherapy. The document also provided a new classification for these conditions and an algorithm for managing pruritus in pregnancy.
