Impetigo Herpetiformis: A Case Report and Review of literature

Impetigo herpetiformis is a rare life threatening pustular dermatoses of pregnancy. The aetiology is unclear but is usually steroid responsive. A case of impetigo herpetiformis in a multiparous 43 year old Iban lady in her 29 weeks of gestation is presented. She responded to topical corticosteroids initially but recurred postpartum, only to respond to Acitretin. Egyptian Dermatology Online Journal Vol. 4 No 1: 4, June 2008 © 2008 Egyptian Dermatology Online Journal 2 Introduction Impetigo herpetiformis is a rare pustular dermatoses of pregnancy. First described by Hebra in 1872 [1] , there is still controversy in its classification. Some classify it as generalised pustular psoriasis of pregnancy [2] while others consider it as a distinct entity from psoriasis [3] . An early diagnosis is essential as the condition is life threatening and is associated with placental insufficiency and electrolytes abnormalities. It is rarely seen in Malaysia. A case of impetigo herpetiformis in a 43 year old Iban lady in her early third trimester is reported.