Does a painful skin condition raise pregnancy risks? A new review finds it's linked to diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and birth defects.

If you're living with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)—a painful, chronic skin condition that causes deep, inflamed lumps—and are pregnant or planning to be, a major new review of the evidence has important news for you. The analysis, which looked at data from over 15 million pregnancies, found that having HS is linked to a higher chance of several serious pregnancy complications. For the mother, this includes a greater risk of developing gestational diabetes (high blood sugar during pregnancy), pre-eclampsia (a dangerous high blood pressure condition), needing a cesarean section, and experiencing postpartum hemorrhage (heavy bleeding after birth). For the baby, maternal HS was linked to a higher chance of spontaneous abortion (miscarriage), being born preterm (too early), and having birth defects. The study concludes that this increased risk highlights a critical need for pregnant women with HS. It's not just a skin issue; it's a whole-body concern that requires early attention and coordinated care between dermatologists and obstetricians to help protect both maternal health and fetal development.