Psoriasis and the pregnant woman: what are the key considerations?

Jennifer L Landau1, Megan N Moody, Natalia Kazakevich

  • 1DermSurgery Associates, Houston, TX, USA.

Skin Therapy Letter
|November 18, 2011
PubMed

Pregnancy is characterized by multiple physiologic changes. During the entire gestational period, both mother and infant are vulnerable to a variety of external and internal factors. Maternal disease, use of certain medications, drugs, alcohol, smoking, and radiation exposure can have devastating effects on the fetus. Pregnancy-related complications in women with psoriasis can be caused by both the disease and the treatment. The response of the maternal placenta to psoriasis-induced inflammation and comorbid conditions, such as obesity, hypertension, and depression, may also influence the pregnancy. Herein, we review the relationship between psoriasis and undesirable pregnancy outcomes.

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