Frequency of skin disorders associated with pregnancy at a tertiary care hospital of Karachi: A cross sectional study.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of skin disorders associated with pregnancy at a tertiary care hospital of Karachi. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Emergency Department, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital Karachi. Period: 1^st April 2023 to 31^st March 2025. Methods: The data was collected through filling proforma contains demographic information; any complains related to skin disorder. The skin lesion was diagnosed clinically and confirmed after getting dermatological opinion and relevant laboratory / other investigations. The participants were divided in to two groups. Group 1 was included women with physiological skin changes in pregnancy. Group 2 included skin disorders specifically related to pregnancy and any skin disorders. Results: A total of 335 participants were enrolled. Pruritus was the commonest complain experienced by our participants 94 (28.1%). Fungal infection and scabies accounted for the main reason of pruritus. Group I showed normal physiological changes in pregnancy 196(58.50%). Among the specific skin lesions in pregnancy, 30 (9%) were found with Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Other skins lesions results showed scabies cases were 8(2.4%), herpes simplex was seen in 3(0.9%) cases, 7(2.1%) participants had fungal infection and Tinea corporoa was 5(1.5%), Two (0.6%) case had diagnosed Lichen plannus and 2(0.6%) had Psoriasis. Conclusion: The study concluded that Physiologic skin changes were commonly observed during pregnancy and Pruritus was the commonest complain. A significant number of scabies and fungal infection were observed.