http://www.fpnotebook.com/

Hyperpigmentation in Pregnancy

Aka: Hyperpigmentation in Pregnancy, Chadwick's Sign, Linea Nigra

Physiology
1. Melanocyte stimulating hormone rises in early pregnancy
2. Increased Melanin deposition
Signs: General
1. Scarred areas and nevi darken
2. Pigmented areas become more pigmented
  1. Areola
  2. Axilla
  3. External genitalia
  4. Anal region
  5. Linea Nigra
Signs: Specific
1. Chadwick's Sign
  1. Darkened vulva and vagina
2. Melasma or Chloasma (Mask of pregnancy)
  1. Dark areas under eyes and bridge nose
3. Linea Nigra
  1. Dark midline low Abdomen

Linea nigra (C0278057)
Concepts	Finding (T033)
SnomedCT	90751002
English	linea nigra (physical finding), linea nigra, abdomen linea nigra, Linea nigra, Pigmentation of linea alba of abdomen, Linea nigra (finding)
Spanish	línea negra (hallazgo), línea negra, línea nigra, pigmentación de la línea alba del abdomen
Sources	Derived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)

Family Practice Notebook

Patients should address specific medical concerns with their physicians.

Although access to this page is not restricted, the information found here is intended for use by medical providers.

This page was written by Scott Moses, MD, last revised on 10/21/2007 and last published on 5/14/2013.

This is one of 5887 pages in the Family Practice Notebook