Impetigo herpetiformis during pregnancy: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

A case of impetigo herpetiformis in pregnancy is reported together with a review of the literature. The patient was a 25-year-old primigravida with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). At 35 weeks' gestation, the patient developed a severely pruritic pustular rash with fever and leukocytosis. The skin of the affected areas was biopsied and showed intraepidermal pustules with a neutrophilic infiltrate. Treatment commenced with intravenous fluids, oral prednisone, and steroid creams. Labor was induced, and a normal delivery of a healthy infant was effected, following which the patient's condition improved rapidly. The clinical and laboratory features were typical of impetigo herpetiformis as described in the literature. Impetigo herpetiformis is a rare, potentially serious skin disorder occurring particularly during pregnancy, and must be diagnosed early to allow prompt, aggressive treatment.