ABSTRACT
To assess the frequency of specific dermatoses of pregnancy in a tertiary care hospital. 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, 1[st] May 2006 till 31[st] 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. 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 2[nd] and 3[rd] trimester. Patients suffering from herpes gestationis and polymorphic eruption of pregnancy [PUPP] were primigravida presenting in 2[nd] trimester. Specific dermatoses of pregnancy can present in any trimester. Prurigo of pregnancy remains the most common disorder followed by pruritic folliculitis of pregnancy.