Most of the pregnant women with a penicillin allergy who were tested were not allergic and could tolerate penicillin during labor, as per the new study being presented at American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting. “Of the 32 pregnant women we evaluated, 25 had skin testing for penicillin allergy, and all were negative,” said Benjamin Wang, MD, ACAAI member and author of the study.
‘If a pregnant women is labelled as allergic to penicillin, she will be offered a less effective and it is important to have penicillin de-labeling ahead of the need for penicillin.’
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“Eight of the 25 patients had uncomplicated pregnancies and therefore had no need for penicillin during their pregnancy. Two of the pregnant women received antibiotics prior to completion of a graded oral challenge because of unexpected skin lacerations related to vaginal delivery. Read More..
Thirteen tested positive for Group B Strep (GBS) and underwent both skin testing and an oral challenge, followed by receiving penicillin during labor.”
Only those pregnant women who tested positive for GBS or who needed penicillin underwent an oral amoxicillin challenge. GBS is a type of bacteria sometimes found in pregnant women. GBS usually doesn't cause health problems but can be harmful to newborns.
“Penicillin allergy testing is important for anyone who was given a penicillin allergy label as a child, and still carries it as an adult,” said allergist Mariana Castells, MD, PhD, chair of the ACAAI Task Force on Drug Allergy.
“A pregnant woman with GBS may need penicillin for treatment. If she is labelled as allergic, she will be offered a less effective, and possibly more harmful antibiotic. It is important to have penicillin de-labeling ahead of the need for penicillin.”
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