Pruritus in Pregnancy - A clinical study of pregnancy dermatoses and incidence of Obstetric cholestasis

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to determine the various causes for pruritus in pregnancy and to evaluate the incidence of intra hepatic cholestasis of pregnancy in the women attending obstetric OPD and dermatology OPD of Govt General Hospital attached to Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool during one year period. Certain dermatoses are specifically seen in pregnancy, they may be associated with pruritus and with or without cutaneous lesions. Among the dermatoses of pregnancy, Obstetric cholestasis has adverse maternal and foetal outcome. Hence this study focused to identify the incidence of Obstetric cholestasis in the Antenatal women presented with pruritus without rash. Liver function tests, Ultrasound evaluation of maternal liver pathology and foetal evaluation were carried out and treated accordingly. It is therefore important for clinicians to recognise and treat these cutaneous disorders to minimize maternal and foetal morbidity.