Herpes gestationis

Herpes gestationis is a rare, pruritic, blistering disease of the skin that occurs in pregnancy and the puerperium. Its recognition by those caring for the pregnant patient is important in determining appropriate care for the patient and in alerting the physician to possible effects on fetal outcome. Understanding of this disease has been rapidly expanding, and these advances are reviewed here through the use of an illustrative case report and a review of the literature. The evidence for significant risk of fetal morbidity and mortality, the potential indicators in patients who are at high risk, and the treatment approaches are stressed.