Skin Changes During Pregnancy: A Study from Northeast India

In a study conducted from November 2012 to April 2014 in Northeast India, 300 pregnant women above 18 years of age and above 12 weeks of gestation with skin changes were examined for physiological and pathological cutaneous changes. The study found that 67.3% of patients experienced pigmentary changes, with linea nigra being the most common, especially in multigravidas (women who have been pregnant more than once). Connective tissue changes were seen in 72.6% of the pregnant women, with abdominal striae being the most common. Other physiological changes were seen in 12.66% of pregnant women, including pedal edema and hair changes such as chronic telogen effluvium. Pregnancy-specific dermatoses were seen among 13% of patients, with atopic eruption of pregnancy being the most common. The study concluded that normal physiological cutaneous changes were the most common changes, while specific dermatoses of pregnancy were rare.