[Anaphylaxis in terminal pregnancy: two case studies and review of the literature]

Anaphylaxis is a relative uncommon event in pregnancy that can have serious implications for both mother and foetus. Two cases of grade 3 anaphylactic shock occurring at the end of the third trimester of pregnancy are reported; the causal agents were respectively amoxicillin and suxamethonium. Maternal and foetal outcome was good after adequate resuscitation and caesarean section performed in both cases because of severe bradycardia. A review of the literature confirms the good maternal outcome; neurologic damage in the newborn is frequent. On the basis of physiologic findings degranulation of placental mast cell is evoked in the genesis of birth asphyxia.