title: Impetigo herpetiformis--a rare dermatosis of pregnancy associated with prenatal complications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We describe a patient who developed an acute generalised pustular eruption associated with pyrexia at 33 weeks of gestation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Her condition was complicated by preterm labour, requiring an emergency caesarean section delivery. A diagnosis of impetigo herpetiformis was made on clinicopathological grounds.
  
  
  METHODS
  Initial treatment with topical and systemic corticosteroids failed and oral methotrexate was added.
  
  
  RESULTS
  She responded well to this therapy and required only 2 doses of weekly methotrexate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: National Skin Centre, Singapore. kslim@nsc.gov.sg
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: M B Y
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: P P l
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Ng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003874:Dermatitis Herpetiformis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy