Abstract
(BJOG. 2018;125:965–971) Anaphylaxis in pregnancy is characterized by life-threatening breathing, circulatory or airway problems stemming from a systemic hypersensitivity reaction, often caused by exposure to allergens including antibiotics or latex. The incidence of anaphylaxis in pregnancy is unknown but thought to be rising. There is a lack of guidelines for the management of anaphylaxis in pregnancy. This study aimed to describe the incidence, characteristics, management and outcomes of anaphylaxis in pregnancy in the United Kingdom.
Highlights
Anaphylaxis in pregnancy is a potentially fatal systemic hypersensitive reaction, which is rapid in onset
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Twenty (54%) women had a history of previous allergic reactions, 16 (43%) with a history of atopy and two (5%) with a previous anaphylactic reaction. [Correction added on 27 February 2018, after first online publication: ‘Twenty-nine (78%)’ has been changed to ‘Twenty (54%)’ in the preceding sentence.] Approximately a third of women (n = 12) had a known drug allergy and the majority of these reported allergies related to penicillin-based drugs (n = 10)
Summary
Anaphylaxis in pregnancy is a potentially fatal systemic hypersensitive reaction, which is rapid in onset. It is characterised by life-threatening airway, breathing or circulatory problems, often with skin or mucosal change. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
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