Loxoscelism threatening pregnancy: five cases.

Envenomation by the spider Loxosceles reclusa in five pregnant women proved to have no sustained adverse effects on mother or baby when managed conservatively only with low-dose prednisone. A striking toxic erythema of the skin, common with the bite of the spider, caused the greatest discomfort and concern for the patients but proved to be entirely tractable. No episodes of hemolysis, disorders of coagulation, or renal damage were discovered. There is no clinical evidence of any special risk during pregnancy in the event of loxoscelism.