Frequency of specific dermatoses of pregnancy in a tertiary care hospital

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