Pemphigoid gestationis

Abstract

A 39-year-old woman in the 39th week of her fifth pregnancy presented with severe itching. In recent weeks she had developed an increasingly itchy rash on her trunk and arms. Upon examination we observed multiple erythematous plaques and vesicles. Histological examinations of two skin biopsies confirmed the diagnosis of pemphigoid gestationis. Because the patient's complaints worsened we decided to deliver the baby, and as it was in transverse lie this was by caesarean section. A healthy son without rash was born. Although pemphigoid gestationis occurs in only 1 in 50 000 pregnancies, it is very important to be aware of this condition when a pregnant woman has itching. Not recognising pemphigoid gestationis may lead to inadequate maternal treatment and possible preterm birth and neonatal pemphigoid gestationis. Copyright 2011 BMJ Publishing Group. All rights reserved.