Population-based case-control study of allergic rhinitis during pregnancy for birth outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
Allergic rhinitis is frequent in women of childbearing age including pregnancy. The present study aimed to estimate the effect of maternal allergic rhinitis on birth outcomes, in particular congenital abnormalities, preterm birth and low birthweight newborns.


METHODS
Analysis of the population-based data of the Hungarian Case-Control Surveillance of Congenital Abnormalities between 1980 and 1996.


RESULTS
The evaluation of data did not reveal any teratogenic potential of allergic rhinitis and indeed a lower prevalence of total congenital abnormalities was found. In addition, a protective effect could be observed for preterm birth due to longer gestational age (adjusted t=2.97, p=0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
Allergic rhinitis is not risk factor for pregnant women.
Somoskövi
Ákos
Á
Department of Respiratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1536 Budapest 114, P.O. Box 250, Budapest, Hungary. Electronic address: akos@pulm.sote.hu.
Bártfai
Zoltán
Z
Department of Respiratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1536 Budapest 114, P.O. Box 250, Budapest, Hungary.
Tamási
Lilla
L
Department of Respiratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1536 Budapest 114, P.O. Box 250, Budapest, Hungary.
Kocsis
Judit
J
III Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
Puhó
Erzsébet
E
National Institute for Epidemiology, Department of Human Genetics and Teratology, Budapest, Hungary; Foundation for the Community Control of Hereditary Diseases, Budapest, Hungary.
Czeizel
Andrew E
AE
Foundation for the Community Control of Hereditary Diseases, Budapest, Hungary.
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors