The specific dermatoses of pregnancy: a reappraisal with special emphasis on a proposed simplified clinical classification

There is little insight into the pathogeneses of most of the specific dermatoses of pregnancy, and therefore they have remained poorly classified. The terminology has become increasingly confusing with several names in use for similar clinical conditions. In an attempt to rationalise the nomenclature we have critically reviewed the clinical descriptions of the dermatoses specifically related to pregnancy and we have proposed a simplified clinical classification into three broad categories: (1) pemphigoid gestationis, (2) polymorphic eruption of pregnancy and (3) pregnancy prurigo.