A case of pemphigus vulgaris developed during pregnancy.

Kim, Jong Soo; Kim, Su Kon

doi:2011.54.12.794

Obstet Gynecol Sci > Volume 54(12); 2011 > Article

Case Report

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2011;54(12):794-797.
Published online: December 1, 2011
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5468/KJOG.2011.54.12.794

A case of pemphigus vulgaris developed during pregnancy.

Jong Soo Kim, Su Kon Kim

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea. euphorius@naver.com

Abstract

Pemphigus vulgaris is an uncommon, autoimmune disease characterized by acantholysis and blister formation in the skin and mucosa. Pemphigus vulgaris during pregnancy is exceedingly rare. The disease may be associated with adverse neonatal outcome, including prematurity and fetal death. The clinical features of this patient were similar to those of pemphigoid gestationis. Circulating antibodies directed at desmosomal proteins may cross the placenta and place children at risk for neonatal pemphigus. Transient skin lesions may occasionally appear in the neonate. We report a case of pemphigus vulgaris in a 32-year-old pregnant woman who showed erythematous bullae, erosions and crusts on the whole body. She was diagnosed by clinical and histopathological findings, direct immunofluorescent test. This patient was treated with high dose of corticosteroids to control the disease.

Keywords: Pemphigus; Autoimmune diseases; Pregnancy