Faculty Bibliography

Despite the wide variety of treatment options for alopecia areata (AA), androgenetic alopecia (AGA), and primary cicatricial alopecias, these options become more limited for women who are breastfeeding, given concerns surrounding potential transfer into breast milk and subsequent adverse effects (AEs) on the newborn infant. Alopecia is associated with significant psychological distress, poorer quality of life (QOL), and negative impacts on self-esteem and body image, which may be exacerbated by undergoing the physical, hormonal, and emotional changes of pregnancy and breastfeeding. Furthermore, many of these medications must be taken continuously to maintain their benefits, reinforcing the importance of understanding which therapies are compatible with breastfeeding. This review aimed to help guide clinicians in choosing safe and appropriate hair loss therapies for women during lactation, including a detailed discussion of medication transfer to breast milk and infant blood serum levels, potential neonatal AEs, and further clinical considerations specific to each treatment option.

Patients with, survivors of, and women at increased risk of breast cancer may experience various hair loss disorders, including those related to cancer treatments (such as chemotherapy- or endocrine therapy-induced alopecia), alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, and cicatricial alopecias. In the USA, approximately 1 in 8 women (13.1%) will develop breast cancer during their lifetime, emphasizing the importance of understanding safe treatment options for this population. Management of scarring and nonscarring alopecias in patients with or those at high risk of breast cancer requires the selection of therapies that do not impact breast cancer risk, treatment, or outcomes. In this review, we examine the safety of common medications used in the treatment of alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, and cicatricial alopecias with regard to breast cancer. We provide evidence-based recommendations for the use of these treatments in patients with and women at elevated risk of breast cancer while highlighting areas where further research is needed.

Cutaneous melanoma is a malignant neoplasm of melanocytes that most frequently affects the skin. It is the most common malignancy in women of childbearing age, and accounts for almost one-third of all malignancies diagnosed during gestation. The pathophysiology of melanoma, particularly during pregnancy, is not well understood, but there are several ways in which the physiologic state pregnancy may impact melanoma. Based on the available literature, pregnancy does not seem to worsen maternal outcomes with melanoma, and outside of placental and fetal metastases, melanoma does not seem to cause serious obstetric or fetal complications. Treatment of localized melanoma during pregnancy follows guidelines for the general population, but advanced melanoma in pregnancy poses unique challenges given the lack of unifying research and management recommendations. Herein, we review the current literature, highlighting diagnostic clinical pearls and key multidisciplinary management considerations with regard to melanoma in the child-bearing population.

OBJECTIVE/UNASSIGNED:This review aims to consolidate available evidence, identify research gaps, and advocate for a more informed approach to the management of pityriasis rosea in pregnant individuals. DATA SOURCES/UNASSIGNED:PubMed, Web of Science, and Directory of Open Access Journals were systematically searched based on the keywords "pityriasis rosea," "pityriasis circinate," "roseola annulate," "herpes tonsurans maculosus," "herald patch," and "pregnancy" on January 25, 2024 for publications between 1950 to 2024. STUDY SELECTION/UNASSIGNED:Studies containing outcomes data for pregnant patients with established PR were included. Studies must have been written or translated into English and published in a peer-reviewed journal. Studies which did not pertain to PR in the setting of pregnancy were excluded, as screened by two reviewers. Responses, general informational reviews, and letters to the editor without novel data were also excluded. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED:Eleven relevant articles were identified, encompassing data from 177 patients. Overall, 81% of patients had favorable outcomes while 19% experienced unfavorable outcomes. PR onset before 15 weeks gestation was associated with a higher rate of unfavorable outcomes (41%), including a 27% rate of spontaneous abortion (SA). Conversely, PR onset after 15 weeks had a lower unfavorable outcome rate (21%), and no instances of SA. CONCLUSION/UNASSIGNED:Conflicting data exists regarding the impact of PR on pregnancy outcomes. However, PR onset within the first 15 weeks, widespread lesions, constitutional symptoms, and higher human herpesvirus 6 viral loads may increase the risk of unfavorable outcomes such as SA. Close follow-up and consideration of antiviral treatment are recommended for high-risk patients.