A clinical study of skin changes in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: During pregnancy profound immunologic, metabolic, endocrine and vascular changes occur, that are responsible for the changes of the skin and its appendages, both physiologic and pathologic. AIMS: We undertook a clinical study to find out the frequency and pattern of skin changes in pregnant women. METHODS: All consecutive pregnant women were included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 607 pregnant women were included in this study. Of these, 303 (49.9%) pregnant women were primigravida and 304 (51.1%) were multigravida. Skin changes grouped into: physiological changes (all cases), specific dermatoses (22 cases) and other dermatoses affected by pregnancy (125 cases). Most common physiological changes were pigmentary alterations seen in 555 (91.4%) followed by striae seen in 484 (79.7%) cases. Of the various specific dermatoses of pregnancy, pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP) was the most common disorder (14 cases) followed by pruritus gravidarum (5 cases). The most common dermatoses affected by pregnancy were candidal vaginitis (17 cases), acne vulgaris (15 cases), skin tags (15 cases), eczemas (14 cases). CONCLUSION: This study brings into focus various skin changes during pregnancy in south India.