ABSTRACT
CONTEXT: The dermatoses of pregnancy represent a group of pathologic skin disturbances that cause considerable distress to the gravid patient. It is important to understand the diagnosis, treatment, and implications of these disorders in order to avert unnecessary discomfort and complications. OBJECTIVES: To describe the specific dermatoses of pregnancy according to an established classification system. DATA SOURCES: Reports identified from PubMed and textbook searches using relevant terms pertaining to the stated questions. CONCLUSION: The dermatoses of pregnancy represent a unique group of disease processes caused or exacerbated by the gravid state. This includes gestational pemphigoid (GP), pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP), prurigo of pregnancy (PP), intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), and impetigo herpetiformis (IH). GP, ICP, and IH may result in serious complications, whereas PUPPP and PP are generally benign processes. Early recognition of these disorders will possibly reduce maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.
