Outpatient Penicillin Allergy Testing in Pregnant Women Who Report an Allergy. Issue 1 (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Desravines, Nerlyne; Waldron, Jamie; Venkatesh, Kartik K.; Kwan, Mildred; Boggess, Kim A.
• Is Part Of: Obstetrics and gynecology. Volume 137:Issue 1(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Gynecology -- Periodicals; 618
• DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004213
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0029-7844

Abstract

Abstract : OBJECTIVE: To estimate the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of outpatient penicillin allergy testing among pregnant women. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study at a large academic hospital from March 2019 to March 2020. We recruited pregnant women with a self-reported penicillin allergy who underwent allergy testing between 14 0/7 and 36 6/7 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: Of 127 eligible women pregnant women, 74 (58%, 95% CI 4–67%) accepted allergy testing. Fifty completed or intended to complete allergy testing, yielding a feasibility rate of 68% (95% CI 56–78%). Among the 46 women actually tested (who ranged in age from 18 to 42), 93% (95% CI 68–100%) had a negative test result. A systemic reaction (symptoms consistent with anaphylaxis) occurred in only 2 women (4%, 95% CI 0.5–15%) despite 20 (43%) reporting a severe allergy. No woman suffered an adverse event as a result of allergy testing. In multivariate analysis adjusting for age and parity, women with public insurance had decreased odds of undergoing penicillin allergy testing (adjusted odds ratio 0.24, 95% CI 0.08–0.69). CONCLUSION: Outpatient penicillin allergy testing is acceptable and feasible in pregnancy. Abstract : Pregnant women are accepting of outpatient penicillin allergy testing, and most who report an allergy test negative.