Pregnancy outcome of patients with pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy

Abstract

Objective. The study was designed to investigate obstetric risk factors and pregnancy outcome of patients with pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP).

Methods. A population-based study comparing all pregnancies of women with and without PUPPP was conducted. Deliveries occurred during the years 1988–2002 at the Soroka University Medical Center. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed in order to find independent risk factors associated with PUPPP.

Results. During a 15-year period, 159 197 deliveries took place. PUPPP complicated 42 (0.03%) of all pregnancies. Using a multivariable analysis, the following conditions were significantly associated with PUPPP: multiple pregnancies (odds ratio (OR) = 4.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7–14.1), hypertensive disorders (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.1–4.7), and induction of labor (OR = 7.6, 95% CI 4.0–14.5). Higher rates of 5-minute Apgar scores lower than 7 (OR = 8.0, 95% CI 4.4–14.9) and of cesarean deliveries (OR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.5–5.6) were noted in the PUPPP as compared to the comparison group. While investigating other perinatal outcome parameters such as oligohydramnios, intrauterine growth restriction, meconium-stained amniotic fluid and perinatal mortality, no significant differences were observed between the groups.

Conclusion. Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy is a condition significantly associated with multiple pregnancies, hypertensive disorders, and induction of labor. Perinatal outcome is comparable to pregnancies without PUPPP.

Keywords:

• Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy
• pregnancy outcome
• multiple pregnancies
• maternal obesity
• low Apgar scores