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AIT continuation deemed safe for maternal, fetal health in pregnant women

Researchers in Canada have determined that allergen immunotherapy continuation appeared safe and effective for both maternal and fetal health, according to recently published data.

“Continuation of [allergen immunotherapy (AIT)] during pregnancy appears to be safe for both the mother and fetus,” Paul Oykhman, of the department of medicine at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, and colleagues wrote. “Given the paucity of data regarding safety, AIT should generally not be initiated during pregnancy, with the exception of high-risk scenarios such as women with prior anaphylaxis to Hymenoptera venom where the benefits may outweigh the risks. At this time, there is no convincing data to suggest a benefit from AIT in preventing the development of atopy in offspring, and as such, AIT should not be used exclusively for this purpose.”

Oyhkman and colleagues conducted a literature review of the MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases of studies related to continuing AIT during pregnancy and the effect of atopy on offspring, according to the abstract. They identified four studies with 422 pregnancies where AIT was continued, two studies with 31 pregnancies where AIT was initiated after pregnancy and five studies where the effects on AIT on offspring was studied.

The researchers found that there were no significant differences among pregnant women and control groups regarding perinatal deaths, prematurity and hypertension or proteinuria when AIT was continued during pregnancy, according to the abstract. There were no significant differences for sublingual immunotherapy, subcutaneous immunotherapy or venom immunotherapy. When AIT was initiated during pregnancy, the researchers found no significant differences between the pregnant women and control groups. Oyhkman and colleagues noted that the 10 pregnant women who experienced complications during the study had minor adverse reactions; however, no complications were related to development of atopy in offspring. – by Jeff Craven

Disclosure: Ellis is a member of the speakers bureau for Merck, AstraZeneca and Pfizer; receives research grants from Circassia Ltd, Merck, GSK, Novartis and SunPharma; is on the advisory board for Circassia Ltd, GSK, Merck and Sanofi; and is a medical advisor to ALK-Abello and Ora, Inc. Kim is a member of the speakers bureau for Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, CSL Behring, Sanofi and Nycomed; and is on the advisory board for Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, CSL Behring, Boehringer Ingleheim and Sanofi.