Related Experiment Videos
Pollen immunotherapy during pregnancy: long-term follow-up of offsprings
R A Settipane1, F H Chafee, G A Settipane
1Division of Allergy, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence 02902.
Insights
Maternal pollen immunotherapy during pregnancy did not significantly impact offsprings' long-term development of asthma or allergic rhinitis. This allergy treatment also showed no significant effect on positive skin tests in children aged ten and older.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Maternal allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is used to treat allergic diseases.
- The long-term effects of AIT during pregnancy on offspring health are not well-established.
- Understanding potential transgenerational impacts of maternal AIT is crucial for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of maternal pollen immunotherapy during pregnancy on offspring.
- To assess the incidence of asthma/allergic rhinitis in offspring exposed to maternal AIT.
- To evaluate the development of pollen-specific allergic sensitization in offspring.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of records from two allergists.
- Inclusion of pregnant patients receiving pollen immunotherapy and their offspring.
- Data collection via questionnaires and interviews for offspring aged 10+.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference in asthma/allergic rhinitis development between treated (38%) and untreated (45%) offspring.
- No significant difference in positive pollen skin tests between treated (69%) and untreated (55%) offspring.
- Study evaluated 78 offspring (40 treated, 38 controls).
Conclusions:
- Maternal allergen immunotherapy during pregnancy does not appear to influence the long-term development of asthma or allergic rhinitis in offspring.
- Pollen immunotherapy in pregnancy did not significantly alter allergic sensitization in offspring.
- Further research may be needed to confirm these findings in larger cohorts.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study is to determine the long-term affect of maternal pollen immunotherapy on offsprings who are ten years or older. Records of two allergists were reviewed, identifying 63 consecutive pregnant patients who received allergy injections to pollens. Of these patients, 30 returned questionnaires and 23 qualified for this study. A total of 78 offsprings were evaluated. In 40 of these offsprings, (treated group) mean age 16, their mothers had received immunotherapy during pregnancy. In 38 control siblings (untreated offsprings), mean age 22, their mothers had not received immunotherapy during pregnancy. Data on offsprings were obtained by questionnaires and direct interview when skin tested (31% of offspring). Thirty-eight percent (15/40) of treated offsprings and 45% (17/38) of untreated offsprings developed asthma/allergic rhinitis. This difference is not statistically significant. Among the treated offsprings, 69% (9/13) of those skin tested had positive skin tests to one or more pollens administered to the mother while pregnant. Among the untreated offsprings (controls), 55% (6/11) of those skin tested had positive skin tests to one or more pollens administered to the mother during sibling pregnancy. This difference was not statistically significant. In summary, allergen immunotherapy in pregnancy does not appear to affect the development of asthma/rhinitis or positive skin tests in offsprings.