2026 Clinician Corner - Itchy, blistering rash in pregnancy: pemphigoid gestationis

CE BROKER: For Texas physicians who have updated their EthosCE profile, credit claimed for this activity will be reported to CE Broker.

Abstract 

Pemphigoid gestationis is a rare autoimmune blistering disorder associated with pregnancy that may present diagnostic challenges, particularly when onset occurs postpartum. We describe a woman in her 30s who developed an intensely pruritic blistering eruption 1 day after delivery. Histopathology was nondiscriminatory, but direct immunofluorescence demonstrated specific findings—including linear complement deposition along the basement membrane—confirming the diagnosis. This case highlights a practical diagnostic approach to postpartum blistering eruptions and underscores the importance of immunofluorescence studies and neonatal monitoring. 

Keywords:  Autoimmune blistering disease; dermatology; dermatoses of pregnancy; pemphigoid gestationis 

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Faculty credentials/disclosure 

Bryanda Woods, MS, Madeline Folke, MS, Julia Griffin, MD, and Lauren Madigan, MD 

Department of Dermatology and Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA 

Corresponding author: Julia Griffin, MD, 30 N. Mario Capecchi Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84112 (e-mail: [email protected]) 

The planners and faculty for this activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. The authors report no funding. The patient consented to publication of this case report. 

 

Process

Click the "add to cart/begin" button, pay any relevant fee, take the quiz, complete the evaluation, and claim your CME credit.  You must achieve 100% on the quiz with unlimited attempts available.

  • By completing this process, you are attesting that you have read the journal article.

Expiration date:

Credit eligibility for this article is set to expire on September 1, 2027.

Learning Objectives

After completing the article, the learner should be able to:

  • Identify dermatoses in pregnancy and engage the appropriate care teams (dermatology, obstetrics, etc). 

  • Apply appropriate workup and management of pemphigoid gestationis for both mother and baby. 

Key Points 

  • Pemphigoid gestationis may present postpartum and mimic other dermatoses in pregnancy, infection, or allergic dermatoses. 

  • Treatment for both mother and baby should be patient-centered and closely coordinated with a multidisciplinary team.  

  • Neonates should be examined for transient blistering due to transplacental antibody transfer. 

  • Both routine histopathology and direct immunofluorescence should be considered in the diagnostic workup of suspected cases. 

  • Blistering eruptions in pregnant or postpartum patients warrant evaluation for autoimmune blistering disease. 

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Course summary

Available credit: 
  • 1.00 American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) MOC Part 2

    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

  • 1.00 American Board of Surgery (ABS) Accredited CME

    Successful completion of this CME activity enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME requirement of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The A. Webb Roberts Center for Continuing Medical Education of Baylor Scott & White Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 1.00 Attendance
Course opens: 
09/01/2026
Course expires: 
09/01/2027
Cost:
$25.00

Bryanda Woods, MS, Madeline Folke, MS, Julia Griffin, MD, and Lauren Madigan, MD 

Department of Dermatology and Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA 

Corresponding author: Julia Griffin, MD, 30 N. Mario Capecchi Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84112 (e-mail: [email protected]) 

The planners and faculty for this activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. The authors report no funding. The patient consented to publication of this case report. 

Accreditation

The A. Webb Roberts Center for Continuing Medical Education of Baylor Scott & White Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

The A. Webb Roberts Center for Continuing Medical Education of Baylor Scott & White Health designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

ABS CC

Successful completion of this CME activity enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME requirement of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

ABIM MOC

 Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.0 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) MOC Part 2

    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

  • 1.00 American Board of Surgery (ABS) Accredited CME

    Successful completion of this CME activity enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME requirement of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The A. Webb Roberts Center for Continuing Medical Education of Baylor Scott & White Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 1.00 Attendance

Price

Cost:
$25.00
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