From SAMMY LEE
The remission experienced during pregnancy from allergic conditions
is fairly well known, especially amongst rheumatologists and obstetricians.
The rationale behind this phenomenon is the development, during pregnancy,
of a significant amount of immunosuppression.
Part of the key to embryo/foetus survival in an immunologically hostile
environment is the instigation of local immunosuppression in the womb. It
is thought that some incidents of recurrent abortion arise from the absence
of sufficient early stimuli which leads to insufficient localised immunosuppression.
As pregnancies progress, a more generalised state of immunosuppression arises
(still mainly reported anecdotally).
Gavin guesses that naturally occurring steroids may be involved. He
is quite likely to have guessed accurately. In pregnancy, not only have
placental proteins, hCG and progesterone proved to be very strongly immunosuppressive,
but corticosteroid levels also fluctuate significantly
Sammy Lee London
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