Document Type
Article (Restricted)
Publication Date
1-1-2013
Abstract
Objectives: To investigate the aetiology of rhinitis occurring in pregnancy, by (1) describing the relationship between pregnancy rhinitis and serum oestrogen, progesterone, placental growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor, and (2) assessing the prevalence of pregnancy rhinitis among Malaysian women. Methods: Prospective study involving 30 pregnant women followed at an ante-natal clinic for 14 months. Hormone levels were analysed during pregnancy and the post-partum period. Results: Levels of all four hormones were elevated in the third trimester, compared with first trimester and postpartum values. Rhinitis patients had higher levels of oestrogen and insulin-like growth factor 1 in the third trimester than non-rhinitis patients, although these differences were not statistically significant. The prevalence of rhinitis was 53.3 per cent, with most cases occurring in the third trimester. Patients with pregnancy rhinitis had a higher prevalence of female babies, compared with non-rhinitis patients (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Pregnancy rhinitis was significantly more common in women giving birth to female babies. Women with pregnancy rhinitis had a non-significant elevation in oestrogen and insulin-like growth factor 1 levels, compared with those without rhinitis.
Keywords
Pregnancy, Rhinitis, Estrogen, Progesterone, Placental-Specific Growth Hormone, Human, Insulin Like Growth Factor 1
Divisions
fac_med
Publication Title
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology
Volume
127
Issue
9
Publisher
Cambridge University Press