Pollen immunotherapy during pregnancy: long-term follow-up of offsprings.

The purpose of this study is to determine the long-term affect of maternal pollen immunotherapy on offsprings who are ten years or older. Records of two allergists were reviewed, identifying 63 consecutive pregnant patients who received allergy injections to pollens. Of these patients, 30 returned questionnaires and 23 qualified for this study. A total of 78 offsprings were evaluated. In 40 of these offsprings, (treated group) mean age 16, their mothers had received immunotherapy during pregnancy. In 38 control siblings (untreated offsprings), mean age 22, their mothers had not received immunotherapy during pregnancy. Data on offsprings were obtained by questionnaires and direct interview when skin tested (31% of offspring). Thirty-eight percent (15/40) of treated offsprings and 45% (17/38) of untreated offsprings developed asthma/allergic rhinitis. This difference is not statistically significant. Among the treated offsprings, 69% (9/13) of those skin tested had positive skin tests to one or more pollens administered to the mother while pregnant. Among the untreated offsprings (controls), 55% (6/11) of those skin tested had positive skin tests to one or more pollens administered to the mother during sibling pregnancy. This difference was not statistically significant. In summary, allergen immunotherapy in pregnancy does not appear to affect the development of asthma/rhinitis or positive skin tests in offsprings.