Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Encyclopedia.
a polymorphous, bullous eruption, more common on the extremities and abdomen than on the upper trunk, with the appearance of pemphigoid or dermatitis herpetiformis; beginning in the second or third trimester, flaring about the time of delivery and subsequently resolving; usually recurrent during subsequent pregnancy. Linear C3 is shown in the epidermal basement membrane by direct immunofluorescence. Not caused by viral infection.
Etymology: Gk, herpein + L, gestare, to bear
a generalized pruritic vesicular or bullous rash that appears in the second or third trimester of pregnancy and disappears several weeks after delivery. The lesions often recur with succeeding pregnancies and are associated with premature birth and increased fetal mortality rate. Herpes gestationis has no relation to herpesvirus infection.
herpes gestationisDuhring-Brocq disease Obstetrics A rare pruritic, polymorphic, subepidermal bullous dermatitis of pregnancy linked to↑ infant mortality; it may recur with subsequent pregnancies and be activated by OCs Treatment Corticosteroids
her·pes ges·ta·ti·o·nis(hĕr'pēz jes-tā'shē-ō'nis)
A polymorphous, bullous eruption beginning in the second or third trimester of pregnancy, flaring about the time of delivery, and subsequently resolving.