Bullous disorders: pemphigoid gestationis: practice question

A Dermatology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dermatology · Bullous disorders: pemphigoid gestationis

Sample item

A woman in her third trimester has intensely itchy urticarial plaques around the umbilicus that become tense blisters. Which statement is correct?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. It is mediated by autoantibodies to BP180 and carries a risk of preterm birth

Pemphigoid gestationis is a rare pregnancy-related bullous disease with anti-BP180 IgG and C3 deposition at the basement membrane. Oral prednisolone is used, there is a risk of prematurity and small-for-date infants, and it often recurs earlier in later pregnancies.

Option by option

  • A. It is caused by desmoglein 3 antibodies

    Desmoglein 3 antibodies cause pemphigus vulgaris.

  • B. It never recurs in later pregnancies

    It tends to recur, often earlier and more severely.

  • C. It is mediated by autoantibodies to BP180 and carries a risk of preterm birth (correct)

    Correct. Anti-BP180 antibodies and fetal risks are features.

  • D. It is a variant of dermatitis herpetiformis

    Dermatitis herpetiformis has granular IgA and is unrelated.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is C, It is mediated by autoantibodies to BP180 and carries a risk of preterm birth. Pemphigoid gestationis is a rare pregnancy-related bullous disease with anti-BP180 IgG and C3 deposition at the basement membrane.

Why is "It is caused by desmoglein 3 antibodies" not the answer?

Desmoglein 3 antibodies cause pemphigus vulgaris.

Why is "It never recurs in later pregnancies" not the answer?

It tends to recur, often earlier and more severely.

Why is "It is a variant of dermatitis herpetiformis" not the answer?

Dermatitis herpetiformis has granular IgA and is unrelated.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bullous disorders: pemphigoid gestationis in Dermatology. Oral prednisolone is used, there is a risk of prematurity and small-for-date infants, and it often recurs earlier in later pregnancies.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Bullous disorders: pemphigoid gestationis?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.