A clinical study of cutaneous changes in pregnancy

Vinitha V. Panicker; Najeeba Riyaz; P.K. Balachandran

doi:10.1016/j.jegh.2016.10.002

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

A clinical study of cutaneous changes in pregnancy

Authors

Vinitha V. Panicker^a^{, *}^,varghesevinitha@yahoo.com, Najeeba Riyaz^b, P.K. Balachandran^c

^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.2016.10.002 How 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.
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.2016.10.002 How to use a DOI?
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

ris enw bib

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  -

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