Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

What condition is associated with blisters on the abdomen during pregnancy?

1. Cholestasis of pregnancy

2. Pemphigoid gestationis

3. Gestational diabetes

4. Atopic eruption

The correct answer is: Pemphigoid gestationis

Pemphigoid gestationis is the condition associated with blisters on the abdomen during pregnancy. It is an autoimmune skin disorder that typically appears in the second or third trimester and is characterized by the development of itchy, fluid-filled blisters. The lesions often begin around the abdomen and may spread to other areas of the body. The cause is believed to be related to an abnormal immune response, usually involving autoantibodies that target components of the skin’s basement membrane. While cholestasis of pregnancy can result in severe itching, particularly on the palms and soles, it does not typically present with blisters. Gestational diabetes is primarily a metabolic condition that affects blood sugar levels and does not involve skin manifestations such as blisters. Atopic eruption, including conditions like pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy, may cause itchy rashes but does not usually present with the vesicular lesions characteristic of pemphigoid gestationis. Understanding pemphigoid gestationis helps in diagnosing and managing the condition effectively during the perinatal period.