Hospital based cross sectional study of skin changes and skin disorders among pregnant women at a tertiary care hospital

ABSTRACT

Background: Pregnancy may alter the course of pre-existing skin disorders and lesions occurring during pregnancy and may show alterations in their course and may have a negative effect on the pregnancy outcome. In pregnancy endocrinal changes may be associated with higher levels of estrogen, progesterone, placental hormones and activity of the fetal adrenal glands Objectives: To study clinical profile of skin changes and disorders associated with pregnancy Methods: Hospital based prospective study was carried out among 60 pregnant women with skin disorders. Detailed history was elicited regarding the skin changes and associated symptoms with regards to the onset, duration, progress and recurrence. Dermatological examination of lesions was carried out. Follow up of the patients was done to observe the course of the disease and outcome of the pregnancy. Results: Majority belonged 21-30 years (60%). Majority (55%) had onset of skin changes during third trimester. Most common physiological change seen was striae in 46.7%. Specific dermatoses of pregnancy were seen in 15%. Infections were most common seen in 45%. 6.7% of the women complained of eczema. 88.3% had skin disorders associated with pruritus. Among them most common was Dermatophyte infection in 25%. Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy and Prurigo gestations were most common specific dermatoses of pregnancy seen in four cases each (6.7%). Conclusion: Non-physiological skin disorders among pregnant women constituted major portion. Infections and infestations were major risk factors for skin disorders in pregnancy but their course was not altered by pregnancy. Majority of pregnant women responded well to treatment