Physiologic skin changes during pregnancy: a study of 140 cases

Int J Dermatol. 1998 Jun;37(6):429-31. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-4362.1998.00281.x.

Abstract

Background: The endocrine, metabolic, and immunologic changes during pregnancy give rise to a number of physiologic cutaneous changes.

Objective: We evaluated 140 pregnant women to determine the pattern of pregnancy-induced physiologic skin changes in our community.

Results: The various changes observed include: increased pigmentation (90.7%), striae (77.1%), edema (48.5), melasma (46.4%), vascular changes (34.2%), and others.

Conclusions: Pigmentary changes were the most common finding, whereas the incidence of vascular changes was quite low (p < 0.01).

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperpigmentation / etiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pregnancy / physiology*
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Second / physiology
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Third / physiology
  • Skin Physiological Phenomena*