Impetigo herpetiformis--a rare dermatosis of pregnancy associated with prenatal complications.

INTRODUCTION

We describe a patient who developed an acute generalised pustular eruption associated with pyrexia at 33 weeks of gestation.

CLINICAL PICTURE: Her condition was complicated by preterm labour, requiring an emergency caesarean section delivery. A diagnosis of impetigo herpetiformis was made on clinicopathological grounds.

TREATMENT: Initial treatment with topical and systemic corticosteroids failed and oral methotrexate was added.

OUTCOME: She responded well to this therapy and required only 2 doses of weekly methotrexate.

CONCLUSION

Impetigo herpetiformis is a rare dermatosis of pregnancy that requires early recognition and treatment to prevent maternal and fetal morbidity. Combination therapy using oral corticosteroids and short-term methotrexate is effective.