Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health

Volume 7, Issue 1, March 2017, Pages 63 - 70

A clinical study of cutaneous changes in pregnancy

Authors
Vinitha V. Panickera, *, varghesevinitha@yahoo.com, Najeeba Riyazb, P.K. Balachandranc
aDepartment of Dermatology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Edappally, Ernakulam, Kerala, India
bDepartment of Dermatology, Government Medical College, Calicut, Kerala, India
cDepartment of Dermatology, Government Medical College, Alappuzha, Kerala, India
*Corresponding author at: 3 D, Platinum Pride, Pernadoor Junction, Elamakkara, Cochin 682026, India.
Corresponding Author
Vinitha V. Panickervarghesevinitha@yahoo.com
Received 8 January 2016, Revised 6 July 2016, Accepted 19 October 2016, Available Online 19 November 2016.
DOI
10.1016/j.jegh.2016.10.002How to use a DOI?
Keywords
Pregnancy dermatoses; Specific dermatoses
Abstract

Background/objective: Pregnant women experience a myriad of physiological and metabolic changes that affect different organ systems in the body. Cutaneous and appendageal alterations that manifest during pregnancy are largely modulated by hormonal, immunologic, and metabolic factors. Detailed reports encompassing physiological changes and specific dermatoses of pregnancy and effects of various dermatoses on pregnant women are scanty in literature. This study was conducted to examine in detail both physiological changes and specific dermatoses. The cutaneous changes are divided into physiological changes, skin diseases aggravated by pregnancy, and specific dermatoses of pregnancy. The objectives were to study the various cutaneous changes of pregnancy and to know the proportion of these cutaneous manifestations in pregnant women.

Methods: This study included 600 pregnant women attending the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of a tertiary teaching hospital in Northern Kerala, India. Detailed history elicitation and complete physical and dermatological examination were performed. Skin biopsy was performed in relevant cases.

Results: Cutaneous changes were seen in a majority of patients, of which physiological changes were the most common (99%). The most common cutaneous manifestation was hyperpigmentation (526; 87.6%), followed by striae gravidarum (72.8%). Other changes were vascular, including pedal edema (10%), pregnancy gingivitis (1.8%), and varicose veins (1%). Infections were the common dermatological problem in this study group. The most common infections were vulvovaginal candidiasis (21%), Tinea versicolor (6%), scabies (2.8%), dermatophytosis (1.5%), and sexually transmitted infection (0.5%). Specific dermatoses were seen in 12 cases (2%), with the most common being pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (1.3%).

Conclusion: Pregnant women are prone to suffer from a wide range of dermatological problems apart from specific dermatoses of pregnancy. The study emphasizes the need for a detailed and meticulous examination of these patients to detect these various disorders.

Copyright
© 2016 Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Open Access
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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Journal
Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
Volume-Issue
7 - 1
Pages
63 - 70
Publication Date
2016/11/19
ISSN (Online)
2210-6014
ISSN (Print)
2210-6006
DOI
10.1016/j.jegh.2016.10.002How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2016 Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Open Access
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Cite this article

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Vinitha V. Panicker
AU  - Najeeba Riyaz
AU  - P.K. Balachandran
PY  - 2016
DA  - 2016/11/19
TI  - A clinical study of cutaneous changes in pregnancy
JO  - Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
SP  - 63
EP  - 70
VL  - 7
IS  - 1
SN  - 2210-6014
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jegh.2016.10.002
DO  - 10.1016/j.jegh.2016.10.002
ID  - Panicker2016
ER  -