By Disease Name > Herpes Gestationis

Herpes Gestationis

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•AKA pemphigoid gestationis

 

clinical:

•intensely pruritic, blistering disease of pregnancy
•lesions usually begin around the umbilicus
•2nd or 3rd trimester or immediately post-partum
•may clear spontaneously and then recur with delivery
•mucosal disease nearly non-existent
•heals without scarring

 

pathogenesis:

•IgG vs. 180kd component of hemidesmosome
•mnemonic: “you have to be 18 to get pregnant”
•thought to be due to HLA mismatch between fetus and mother

 

histology:

•subepidermal blister
•DIF = linear C3 at basement membrane zone
•histology:  intense dermal papillary edema (“tear drop sign”) is probably specific for this condition

 

course:

•disappears 1 or 2 months after delivery (but may persist)
•tends to recur with subsequent gestations
•may also flare (recur) with oral contraceptives
•newborn with mild cutaneous involvement approx. 10% of time (will resolve without treatment)

 

treatment:

•systemic steroids (40mg/day prednisone)
•

 

 

Incidence

Recurrence in future pregnancies

Newborn with cutaneous involvement

PUPPPS

1:160

unusual

none

Herpes Gestationis

1:50,000

yes

10%