Herpes gestationis and oral contraceptive: Case report and review of the literature

Pruritus in Pregnancy

Pruritus in pregnancy is a common and burdensome symptom that may be a first sign of a pregnancy-specific pruritic disease (atopic eruption of pregnancy, polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, pemphigoid gestationis, and intrahepatic cholestasis in pregnancy) or a dermatosis coinciding with pregnancy by chance. Despite its high prevalence, pruritus is often underrated by physicians, and data regarding the safety profiles of drugs for pruritus are very limited. In this review, we illustrate the epidemiology, possible pathophysiology, clinical characteristics, and diagnostic workup of various pregnancy-related diseases and discuss antipruritic treatments. The prevalence of pruritus in pregnancy demonstrates the importance of symptom recognition and the need for an holistic approach, taking into account both the potential benefits for the patient and the potential risks to the fetus.

Pemphigoid Gestationis - Case Report and Review of Literature

Pemphigoid gestationis (PG) is a rare autoimmune bullous skin disorder which usually presents with intense pruritus and urticarial lesions that may evolve into vesicles and tense blisters. In majority of patients, it starts in the second or third trimester of pregnancy and resolves spontaneously after delivery. Lesions appear in the periumbilical area in 90% of patients and rapidly spread centrifugally to other parts of the body. The diagnosis needs to be confirmed by direct immunofluorescence test (DIF) with indirect immunofluorescence test (IIF), ELISA and immunoblot techniques playing role in diagnosis and/or monitoring antibodies level. Mild symptoms of PG can be treated with topical therapy only, but in severe course of the disease the treatment may be escalated to oral corticosteroids. We present an unusual case of PG started 2 weeks after delivery with an updated overview on the epidemiology, pathology, clinical picture, treatment, and complications of the disease.

Successful treatment of one case of pemphigoid gestationis complicating with polycystic ovary syndrome

Pemphigoid gestationis (PG) is a rare, autoimmune, subepidermal bullous dermatosis associated with pregnancy. It is mainly caused by autoantibodies against hemidesmosomal proteins-bullous pemphigoid 180, and usually presents in the second or third trimester of pregnancy sometimes exacerbates spontaneously after delivery. Here we reported a case of PG with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This patient received assisted reproduction technology and suffered PG in her third trimester of pregnancy. To the best of our knowledge, there is no similar case has been reported.