Reproductive ethics: Defining the dermatologist's role

Dermatologists routinely care for women with childbearing potential and pregnant women. When the mother or their fetus has a dermatologic disease, the dermatologist is often involved in helping potential parents navigate the complex medical and ethical decisions that are required. Dermatologists also regularly advise patients of childbearing age who require teratogenic medications such as isotretinoin on how to navigate its use safely. As features of some life-threatening dermatologic skin diseases can be identified prenatally and genetic testing enables confirmatory diagnosis before birth, dermatologists should be prepared to ethically support parents considering the options of preparing to care for their child with a devastating skin disease or terminating the pregnancy. Dermatologists also have an ethical obligation to educate their pregnant patient regarding the risks associated with genetically inherited conditions and the potential therapeutic options and prognosis. In view of the recent change in the legal landscape regarding abortion, dermatologists now need to be aware of local ordinance and how to refer to providers knowledgeable on the topic to best support a patient in their pregnancy.