Impact of Pregnancy Rhinitis on Olfactory Sensitivity: A Controlled Comparative Study

Area of Science:

• Otorhinolaryngology
• Obstetrics
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Pregnancy involves hormonal shifts and physiological changes.
• Pregnancy rhinitis, characterized by nasal congestion without infection or allergies, affects pregnant individuals.
• The impact of pregnancy rhinitis on olfactory perception is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of pregnancy rhinitis on the sense of smell.
• To determine if nasal congestion in pregnancy rhinitis alters olfactory perception.

Main Methods:

• Fifty pregnant women (third trimester) and 25 non-pregnant women (control) participated.
• Olfactory function was assessed using Sniffin' Sticks and SNOT-22 questionnaire.
• ENT examination, nasofiberoscopy, and rhinomanometry were performed.

Main Results:

• Pregnant women showed significantly lower odor detection, discrimination, and identification scores.
• Half of pregnant participants had objectively confirmed olfactory disturbances.
• Most pregnant women with olfactory deficits did not report subjective smell impairment.

Conclusions:

• Pregnancy rhinitis leads to olfactory disturbances and reduced smell sensitivity in advanced pregnancy.
• Subjective awareness of smell changes is often lacking despite objective deficits.
• Swollen nasal mucosa in pregnancy impairs airflow and olfactory sensitivity.