RESUMO
BACKGROUND: There are limited literatures regarding the clinical characteristics of the specific dermatoses of pregnancy, and their terminology has been confusing and misleading. A simplified classification is proposed with the new terminology 'atopic eruption of pregnancy', comprising several disease entities such as eczema of pregnancy, prurigo of pregnancy, and pruritic folliculitis of pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: A clinical study was performed to determine the exact nature of atopic eruption of pregnancy in Korea. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 75 patients who were diagnosed and reclassified as atopic eruption of pregnancy at Pusan National University Hospital. RESULTS: Among 121 patients with the specific dermatoses of pregnancy, 75 (62%) were diagnosed with atopic eruption of pregnancy. The most affected sites were the flexural surfaces of the neck and extremities, followed by the abdomen and back. The mean gestational age was 18.5 weeks. In 92% of cases, atopic eruption of pregnancy started during the 1st and 2nd trimesters of pregnancy. Major fetal problems were not seen. Atopic disease was observed in 26 (34.7%) patients. Total serum IgE levels were elevated in 10 (50%) patients among the 20 patients who were tested for IgE levels. Forty-four (58.5%) patients improved after delivery, and atopic eruption of pregnancy recurred after delivery in 6 (8%) patients. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of AEP in Korea were mostly similar to those of AEP in Western countries. However, AEP in Korea seems to show a poor prognosis and be refractory to treatment compared to that of Western countries.