Familial occurrence of pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy.

Abstract

The occurrence of pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP) was noted in four women with unusual family relationships. The purpose of the study was to document the occurrence of PUPPP in these families and to make observations on their possible relevance. Case reports of the four patients are detailed. Histologic and HLA studies are recorded. In both families, sisters were married to brothers. A common paternal influence is suggested. We postulate that PUPPP may be a maternal response to a circulating paternal factor for which tolerance develops in subsequent pregnancies.