Cutaneous changes in pregnancy: A comprehensive study of 700 cases at a tertiary care centre from South India

Abstract

Introduction: Pregnancy is associated with many skin changes, due to profound immunologic, metabolic, endocrine and vascular changes occur during pregnancy. Though most of which are physiological in nature, there can be changes in pre-existing skin diseases or develop new pregnancy specific dermatoses which can cause distress to pregnant female and may influence the fetal outcome as well. Aims: To study the frequency and pattern of skin changes in pregnant women. Study Design: Prospective cross sectional study in a tertiary care centre Materials and Methods: After obtaining institutional ethical committee approval, a prospective cross-sectional study carried out in the outpatient department of obstetrics and gynaecology and Skin, Cheluvamba and KR Hospital, Mysuru. A total of 700 pregnant females were screened for physiological skin changes, associated dermatological diseases and specific dermatoses of pregnancy. Statistical analysis used: M S word Results: A total of 700 pregnant women were included in the study, of which 309(44.1%) were primigravida and 391(55.9%) were multigravida. Physiological skin changes were seen in all cases, out of which Linea nigra was the most common change seen in 610(87.14%) cases, specific dermatoses of pregnancy (PSD) were seen in 58(8.28%) cases, out of which Atopic eczema of pregnancy (AEP) was the most common, seen in 36(62.06%) cases followed by pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP), observed in 18(31.03%)cases and Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) was seen in 4(6.89%) cases and among other concomitant dermatological disorders fungal infection was the most common seen in 72 cases (10.28%). Conclusions: Many skin changes occur during pregnancy are physiological require no treatment. Pregnancy specific dermatoses are not very rare, few PSDs have impact on pregnancy and fetal outcome, likely to recur in subsequent pregnancy, require thorough examination and specific diagnosis to counsel and manage ac