Physiological dermatological changes during pregnancy: literature review

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1595632602039

• Palavras-chave: Pregnancy; Pregnancy-related skin conditions; Physiological skin changes.

• Keywords: Pregnancy; Pregnancy-related skin conditions; Physiological skin changes.

• Abstract:

  Pregnancy is a period characterized by profound hormonal, immunological, metabolic, and vascular changes that promote various adaptations in the maternal organism. Among these changes, physiological skin changes stand out, often observed during prenatal care and considered part of the adaptive process of pregnancy. These manifestations may involve changes in skin pigmentation, vascular changes, changes in skin appendages, and changes in connective tissue. Although in most cases they are benign and transient, these changes can raise diagnostic questions and concerns in pregnant women, and it is important for healthcare professionals to recognize them and differentiate them from specific pregnancy-related dermatoses or pre-existing dermatological diseases. The present study aims to review the scientific literature on the main physiological dermatological changes in pregnancy, addressing their pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical manifestations, and relevance in clinical practice. This is a narrative literature review based on the analysis of scientific articles published in national and international databases. The results show that pigmentary, vascular, glandular, and structural changes in the skin are extremely common during pregnancy, mainly due to hormonal influences and circulatory adaptations. It is concluded that knowledge of these manifestations is essential for the proper guidance of pregnant women and to avoid unnecessary interventions, contributing to safer and more humanized prenatal care.