A case-control study of polymorphic eruption of pregnancy.
BACKGROUND
Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP) is a pruritic disease that usually occurs in primiparous women, most commonly in the last trimester of pregnancy. The origin and pathomechanisms still remain unknown.


OBJECTIVE
We attempted to determine the parameters that may be associated with or complicate the course of PEP.


METHODS
Data of 200 pregnant women (40 PEP and 160 control) were studied retrospectively and compared statistically using univariable and multivariable analysis.


RESULTS
In multivariate analysis, pregnancy with male fetuses (P = .02) and delivery by cesarean section (P = .012) were overrepresented in the PEP group. A tendency toward more multiple gestation pregnancy in PEP was found (P = .07). The risk of PEP was not related to excessive maternal or fetal weight gain.


CONCLUSIONS
This was a retrospective study.


CONCLUSIONS
This large case-control study confirms the already suspected association of PEP with male fetuses and cesarean deliveries in multivariate analysis. The higher rate of multiple gestation pregnancy was also established.
Regnier
Stephanie
S
Department of Dermatology, Hôpital Tenon (Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris), Unité de Formation et de Recherche Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris 6, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France. stephanie.regnier@cch.aphp.fr
Fermand
Virginie
V
Levy
Pierre
P
Uzan
Serge
S
Aractingi
Selim
S
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011537:Pruritus / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies