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. Study design: 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). Conclusion: Allergic rhinitis is not risk factor for pregnant women. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.