Annular vasculitis associated with pregnancy.

Abstract

A 29-year-old woman presented in the 31st week of pregnancy with an unusual bilateral, erythematous eruption on the posterior calves, which clinically resembled erythema annulare centrifugum. A biopsy showed features of a mild leucocytoclastic vasculitis. Within 2 days of delivery the rash had almost resolved, suggesting that its activity was related to the pregnancy. The diagnosis is consistent with 'annular vasculitis', which we suggest represents a distinct variant of leucocytoclastic vasculitis, and a distinct clinicopathological entity. We are not aware of any previous reports of an association between annular vasculitis and pregnancy.