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Review
. 2022 Mar;23(2):231-246.
doi: 10.1007/s40257-021-00668-7. Epub 2022 Feb 21.

Pruritus in Pregnancy

Aleksandra A Stefaniak  1   2 , Manuel P Pereira  3 , Claudia Zeidler  3 , Sonja Ständer  3
Affiliations
Review

Pruritus in Pregnancy

Aleksandra A Stefaniak et al. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2022 Mar.

Abstract

Pruritus in pregnancy is a common and burdensome symptom that may be a first sign of a pregnancy-specific pruritic disease (atopic eruption of pregnancy, polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, pemphigoid gestationis, and intrahepatic cholestasis in pregnancy) or a dermatosis coinciding with pregnancy by chance. Despite its high prevalence, pruritus is often underrated by physicians, and data regarding the safety profiles of drugs for pruritus are very limited. In this review, we illustrate the epidemiology, possible pathophysiology, clinical characteristics, and diagnostic workup of various pregnancy-related diseases and discuss antipruritic treatments. The prevalence of pruritus in pregnancy demonstrates the importance of symptom recognition and the need for an holistic approach, taking into account both the potential benefits for the patient and the potential risks to the fetus.

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Conflict of interest statement

AAS has no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this article. MPP has served as an investigator for Trevi Therapeutics, is a consultant for Galderma, and has received speaker honoraria/travel fees from AbbVie, Beiersdorf, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Menlo Therapeutics, Novartis, P. G. Unna Academy, and Trevi Therapeutics. CZ has served as an investigator in clinical trials for Novartis, Janssen, Pfizer, UCB, Lilly, AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim, Sanofi, Regeneron, Leo, and Galderma; has received speaker honoraria from Dermasence, Beiersdorf, and Leo; and has received author honoraria from AbbVie. SS has served as an investigator in clinical trials for Dermasence, Galderma, Kiniksa, Menlo Therapeutics, Novartis, Sanofi, Trevi Therapeutics, and Vanda Therapeutics and as a consultant and/or member of an advisory board for AbbVie, Almirall, Beiersdorf, Bellus, Bionorica, Cara Therapeutics, Celgene, Clexio, DS Biopharma, Escient, Galderma, Leo, Lilly, Kiniksa, Menlo, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, Trevi Therapeutics, and Vifor.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Onset of pregnancy-specific pruritic dermatoses
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Stepwise therapeutic approach of chronic pruritus in pregnancy based on the European guideline on chronic pruritus [15]. GCS glucocorticosteroids, UVB ultraviolet B
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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