Three cases of atopic dermatitis in pregnant women successfully treated with Korean medicine.

BACKGROUND Korean medicine (KM) is used in many patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), which is commonly aggravated during pregnancy. However, to date, no previous studies have reported the safety and efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy for pregnant patients with AD and their fetus in clinical practice. SUBJECTS Three pregnant women were suffering from AD that first appeared or was aggravated during pregnancy. They would not have received conventional treatments for AD during their pregnancy. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOME MEASURES They were treated with KM, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, and herbal wet dressing. The severity of AD was assessed with the SCORAD (Severity Scoring Atopic Dermatitis) index. Liver and renal function tests were performed. We noted adverse events on maternity, fetus or neonate and evaluated the side effects of KM therapy. RESULTS AD symptoms improved after treatment. There was no hepatic or renal toxicity, nor were there any adverse maternal, fetal or neonatal effects. CONCLUSIONS This study is meaningful as the first case series of AD in pregnant women successfully treated with KM therapy including herbal medicine, acupuncture, and herbal wet dressings.