Abstract
FREQUENCY AND PATTERN OF SKIN CHANGES IN PREGNANT WOMEN

Profoundimmunologic, metabolic, endocrine and vascular changes occur during pregnancy, which make the pregnant woman susceptible to changes of the skin and appendages, both physiologic and pathologic. Study done to know frequency and pattern of skin changes in pregnant women. All consecutive pregnant women attending outpatient department were included in the study. A total of 450 pregnant women were included in this study. Of these, 162(36%) pregnant women were primigravida. Skin changes grouped into: physiological changes (all cases), specific dermatoses (57 cases) and other dermatoses affected by pregnancy (114 cases). Most common physiological changes were noted was striae 54%(243 cases) followed by lineanigra48.8 %( 220 cases), melasma34.7 %( 156cases) and pruritus (without any specific cause) 5.33 %(24cases). The other miscellaneous conditions. Patients with specific dermatoses of pregnancy atopic eruptions (24 cases) and Prurigo of Pregnancy was the most common disorder (14 cases). The most common infections affected by pregnancy were fungal origin as candidal vaginitis (27 cases), T.corporis (27 cases) and T.versicoloris(17 cases). This study brings into focus various skin changes during pregnancy in present local area.