Objectives: The occurrence of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) during pregnancy is rare. The purpose of this review was to describe management of PV in the mother, and report maternal and perinatal outcomes associated with the disease.
Data sources: A search of PubMed was conducted using the phrases "pemphigus and pregnancy" and "neonatal pemphigus." The bibliographies of retrieved articles were also searched for relevant reports. Only articles in English and in which the diagnosis of pemphigus had been made on the basis of histology or immunopathology were included.
Tabulation, integration, and results: In 38 reports, pregnancies from 49 women with PV were described. Among the 40 patients in whom clinical profiles were provided, 33 had active disease and 7 were disease free. Prednisone was used in 37 of 49 (75%) patients with doses ranging from 5 to 300 mg/day (mean 152.5 mg). Concomitant therapies included plasmapheresis, plasma exchange, and dapsone in 1 patient each, and azathioprine in 5. Of the 44 live births, 20 (45%) neonates had PV lesions at birth and 24 (55%) were lesion-free. Five stillbirths were reported. In all neonates, PV lesions resolved within 1 to 4 weeks, either spontaneously or with mild topical corticosteroids treatment. Of the 5 intrauterine deaths, 1 was due to umbilical cord prolapse, 1 attributed to placental dysfunction, and 1 to cytomegalovirus pneumonitis. In the remaining 2, the cause was unknown. One neonate died 2 days after delivery due to meconium aspiration syndrome. Thus the aggregate perinatal mortality rate was 12% (6/49).
Conclusions: The outcome of pregnancies complicated by pemphigus is generally good, but achieving good outcomes likely depends on the collaborative efforts of the dermatologist and obstetrician. The available data suggest that the rate of perinatal mortality is increased, but these data may be subject to publication bias.
Target audience: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians.
Learning objectives: After completion of this educational activity, the participant should be better able to describe appropriate medical therapies for pemphigus vulgaris complicating pregnancy, and plan the management of pregnancies complicated by pemphigus vulgaris.