A Clinical Study of Otorhinolaryngeal Problems in Pregnancy

Aim This study was conducted to evaluate the prevelance of otorhinolaryngeal diseases that occur in pregnancy and the relationship between the physiological changes. Materials and methods This was a hospital based case control study conducted in 200 pregnant women attending the AnteNatal & ENT clinics of MMIMSR, Ambala, Haryana and St. Stephens Hospital, New Delhi over a period of 1 year ( September 2014 to September 2015). Group A (study group) 100 pregnant women Group B (control group) 100 non-pregnant women Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science), version II, where 2 (chi square) test was used to compute significance. Results The mean age of group A (study group) was 28.59 years, group B (control group) was 26.69 years. The most common otorhinological complaint in group A were otitis externa (68/200 patients = 34 %), allergic rhinitis (45/200 patients = 22.5 %), otitis media (20/200 patients = 20 %), eustachian tube dysfunction (18/200 = 9 %), rhinosinusitis both acute and chronic (16/200 = 8 %), LPRD (LaryngoPharyngeal Reflux Disease) as a part od GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease) 16/200 = 8 %, epistaxis (10/200 = 5 %) sensorineural hearing loss (rare 2/200 = 1 %). ConclusionOtorhinolaryngeal diseases in pregnancy are very common. Most are self limiting and respond well to conservative management. These facts should be kept in mind whenever any pregnant woman presents with any symptom pertaining to the ear, nose or throat so as to avoid unnecessary and overxealous treatment, both medical and surgical, to prevent adverse effects on both the mother and her fetus.