Analysis of approaches to treating seasonal allergic rhinitis in pregnant women

Approximately 20-30% of reproductive-aged women suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis, the uncontrolled course of which during pregnancy can not only worsen the quality of life and the course of comorbidities, but also give rise to maternal and fetal hypoxia. Objective. To analyze approaches to treating seasonal allergic rhinitis in pregnant women. Subjects and methods. An anonymous questionnaire survey of physicians (332 therapists and 734 obstetricians/ gynecologists) was conducted within the study “Epidemiology of Medication Use in Pregnant Women” (Stage 2); the clinical guidelines of foreign and Russian professional societies for this problem were analyzed. Results. The physicians rarely indicated topical steroids (8.4%); first-generation antihistamines were the leaders (29.7%); the physicians less often indicated second-generation drugs, such as loratadine (13.8%) and cetirizine (10.7%). Conclusion. In accordance with the guidelines, the approach to treating allergic rhinitis in pregnant women should be the same as applied to other patients; an important part is assigned to nondrug therapies. By taking into account the high prevalence of this disease, it is appropriate to do educational work on this problem among physicians. © Bionika Media Ltd.