Impetigo herpetiformis with postpartum flare-up: a case report

• Published in: Acta dermatovenerologica Alpina, Panonica, et Adriatica Vol. 18; no. 2; pp. 77 - 82
• Main Authors: Roth, M-M, Feier, V, Cristodor, P, Moguelet, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Slovenia 01.06.2009
• Subjects: Adult; Dermatitis Herpetiformis - diagnosis; Dermatitis Herpetiformis - pathology; Female; Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture - etiology; Humans; Infant, Low Birth Weight; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - diagnosis; Pregnancy Complications - pathology; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; Puerperal Disorders - diagnosis; Puerperal Disorders - pathology; Recurrence
• ISSN: 1318-4458

Impetigo herpetiformis is a rare dermatosis of pregnancy with typical onset during the last trimester of pregnancy and rapid resolution during the postpartum period. It is still a matter of debate whether it is a variant of pustular psoriasis or a separate entity. We report a case of impetigo herpetiformis with an earlier onset during the second trimester of pregnancy (G4 P2) and an atypical postpartum flare-up. Even though the case is not new per se, it reveals the natural course of this rare disease because the condition was neglected and given no oral treatment throughout the entire pregnancy. Consequently, the patient had a premature delivery with premature rupture of membranes, placental insufficiency, and intrauterine growth retardation.