the definitive cause of pregnancy rhinitis has not been identified
various theories on the aetiology of pregnancy rhinitis have been postulated
initial hypotheses on the aetiology of pregnancy rhinitis included oestrogen effects, hormone allergy, stress, and increased blood volume with resulting nasal airway resistance
study evidence has revealed that levated serum placental growth hormone as well as increased serum house mite IgE in patients with pregnancy rhinitis (1)
placental growth hormone
after the first trimester of pregnancy the episodic bursts of human growth hormone (hGH) are replaced by a continuous secretion, with rising values of a placental growth hormone variant (PGH)
study evidence has shown that serum levels of PGH were significantly higher in the pregnancy rhinitis group throughout pregnancy
a 'hormonal rhinitis' has been proposed to occur in acromegaly - PGH may stimulate mucosal growth in a similar way and thereby induce pregnancy rhinitis (1)
smoking is a risk factor (2)
howevere maternal age, parity, and gender of the child are not associated with increased risk
a history of seasonal allergy such as hayfever, asthma, and month of conception have not been found to have a statistically significant impact on incidence of pregnancy rhinitis
vasomotor rhinitis, an imbalance in autonomic nervous control of nasal mucosal smooth muscle blood vessels, has also been offered as an aetiology and remains in consideration as a causative or contributing factor
given that either oestrogen or emotional stress can initiate vasomotor rhinitis, a synergistic effect is possible, particularly when there is underlying allergic rhinitis
2) Ellegard, EK et al. Serum level of placental growth hormone is raised in pregnancy rhinitis, Archives of Otolaryngology and Health and Neck Surgery 1998; 124:439-443
3) Ellegard, EK, Karlsson, G.IgE-mediated reactions and hyperreactivity in pregnancy rhinitis. Archives of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery 1999; 121:1121-1125
4) Incaudo, G.A.Diagnosis and treatment of rhinitis during pregnancy and lactation. Clinical Review Allergy 1987; 5(4): 325-337.
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