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Case Reports
. 2023 Dec 18;11(12):e8343.
doi: 10.1002/ccr3.8343. eCollection 2023 Dec.

Pemphigus vulgaris in a neonate born to a mother with pemphigus vulgaris: A case report

Ayush Anand  1 , Praneet Awake  2 , Anand Bhosale  3 , Rajan Bindu  3 , Anjali Kher  4 , Prasad Bhanap  5
Affiliations
Case Reports

Pemphigus vulgaris in a neonate born to a mother with pemphigus vulgaris: A case report

Ayush Anand et al. Clin Case Rep. .

Abstract

Key clinical message: Active pemphigus vulgaris in the mother can lead to neonatal pemphigus vulgaris, which is usually self-limiting. Systemic corticosteroids are the mainstay of managing PV during pregnancy and until the child is breastfed.

Abstract: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a potentially life-threatening autoimmune disease characterized by bullae and erosions over the skin and mucous membrane. PV is rarely reported in pregnant women and neonates. We reported the case of a 28-year-old Gravida 2 Parity 2 Living 1 who developed painful blisters and erosions in the oral cavity during third trimester of pregnancy. However, the diagnosis was delayed due to late presentation. The patient presented to our hospital at 37 weeks gestation with bullae and erosions distributed all over the body. Based on clinical evaluation and histopathology reports, she was diagnosed with PV. She delivered a child via cesarean section. The child also had similar lesions and was diagnosed with neonatal PV. Maternal PV was managed with prednisolone followed by azathioprine, leading to complete remission. No active intervention was required for neonatal PV as the condition was self-limiting.

Keywords: case report; neonate; pemphigus; pregnancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
A. Multiple fluid‐filled flaccid bullae and erosions over the abdomen and lower limbs. B. Erosion with crusts on the right forearm. C. Perioral erosion with crusts on the face. D. Matting of hair with crusts on the face.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Skin biopsy of the mother showing the floor of the blister lined with mostly intact basal cells, giving a tombstone appearance (red arrow), suprabasal clefting (black arrow), and acantholytic cell (green arrow). Some cells seem to show spongiotic changes.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
A. Blistering and vesicles on the neck. B. Blistering and vesicles on the foot of the neonate. C and D. Blistering and vesicles on the ear lobes.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Skin biopsy of the neonate showing the floor of the blister lined with mostly intact basal cells, giving a tombstone appearance (red arrow), suprabasal clefting (black arrow), and acantholytic cell (green arrow). Some cells seem to show spongiotic changes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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