EUSTACHIAN-TUBE FUNCTION DURING PREGNANCY

The upper respiratory mucosa has been reported to react to sex hormone s in both physiological and pathological conditions. The present study was specifically aimed to determine the influence of high levels of o estrogen on Eustachian tube function. Fifty-three healthy, pregnant wo men were prospectively evaluated for Eustachian tube function during p regnancy. Eustachian tube function was found to be highly variable in different women, and in the same woman at different stages of pregnanc y. We did not find a specific trend in Eustachian tube function with i ncreasing oestrogen levels as encountered during pregnancy.