title: A prospective study on the safety of sublingual immunotherapy in pregnancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to determine the safety of sublingual immunotherapy in pregnancy, which has not yet been reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and fifty-five patients received sublingual immunotherapy with either house dust mite (D. farinae) or a mixture of up to five allergens during 185 pregnancies. Twenty-four patients received sublingual immunotherapy for the first time during pregnancy. Follow-up data were analysed with regard to abortion, perinatal mortality, prematurity, toxaemia and congenital malformation. Two control groups did not receive immunotherapy; group A (85 patients) received budesonide 400 μg twice daily and group B (40 patients) received rescue salbutamol inhalation. All three groups were on appropriate avoidance measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six-year follow-up data for the sublingual immunotherapy group revealed an incidence of complications less than that in the general population and a higher incidence of complications in both control groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study concludes that sublingual immunotherapy is safe during pregnancy and is also safe when initiated for the first time in a pregnant patient.
authors.affiliation: Allergist and Asthmologist, Department of Clinical Allergy and Asthma, Allergy and Asthma Clinic, Bombay, India. drwiqar@gmail.com
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Shaikh
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Shaikh
mesh_terms: D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000328:Adult; D000420:Albuterol / Q000009:adverse effects; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D019819:Budesonide / Q000009:adverse effects; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D019819:Budesonide; D000420:Albuterol