Clinical manifestations of sinonasal pathology during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

Pregnancy may confer a number of conditions related to the head and neck. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical manifestations of sinonasal pathology that occur during pregnancy.

METHODS

Thirty-three pregnant patients were evaluated for the occurrence of rhinorrhea, congestion, epistaxis, or acute sinusitis during the first trimester of pregnancy, controlling with 28 women of child-bearing age. A visual analogue scale was used to grade the severity of each symptom. Statistical analysis was carried out to assess for significant differences in the prevalence and severity of symptomatology between cases and controls.

RESULTS

Compared to the control group, there was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of congestion, epistaxis, rhinorrhea, or acute sinusitis. There was no statistically significant difference in the severity of any presenting symptom between pregnant and control group patients.

CONCLUSION

Pregnancy is not associated with an increased prevalence or severity of nasal symptomatology during early pregnancy. The influence of hormonal changes on nasal physiology during pregnancy is discussed with a view toward safe management.