Anaphylaxis in pregnancy: a population-based multinational European study

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Allergy and Immunology
• Public Health

Background:

• Anaphylaxis during pregnancy is a rare but severe condition with limited population-based data from mainland Europe.
• Understanding its incidence, causes, and outcomes is crucial for maternal and infant health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence, causative agents, management, and outcomes of anaphylaxis in pregnancy across multiple European countries.
• To provide population-based data on this rare obstetric complication.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, multinational study combining retrospective data from Finnish medical registries and prospective population-based studies in the UK, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
• Identification of anaphylaxis cases in pregnant women.

Main Results:

• Sixty-five cases of anaphylaxis were identified among 4,446,120 maternities, resulting in an incidence of 1.5 per 100,000 maternities.
• Antibiotics (43%) and anesthetic agents (17%) were the most frequent causes, with reactions often occurring during delivery.
• Maternal case fatality rate was 3.2%, and neonatal encephalopathy occurred in 14.3% of cases.

Conclusions:

• Anaphylaxis in pregnancy is a rare event in Europe, with varied causative agents and management protocols.
• Despite its rarity, anaphylaxis poses significant risks, leading to severe maternal and neonatal complications.