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Fetal risks in herpes gestationis
1University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06030.
Background:
The potential risks to the fetus in herpes gestationis have long been a controversial subject, but because of the rarity of the disease, have only occasionally been studied.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of fetal complications in herpes gestationis.
Methods:
We collected and analyzed the obstetric histories of 74 patients and compared their involved pregnancies with their uninvolved pregnancies.
Results:
There was an obvious tendency for premature delivery associated with herpes gestations. A slight tendency toward small-for-gestational-age newborns associated with herpes gestationis was confirmed, but, perhaps surprisingly, no increase in spontaneous abortions or stillbirths was noted. The use of systemic steroids did not appear to influence risk.
Conclusion:
Herpes gestationis is associated with an increase in prematurity and small-for-gestational-age infants.