Pregnancy and asthma: recent developments.
OBJECTIVE
Asthma is the most common potentially serious medical problem to complicate pregnancy. Asthmatic women have been shown to be at an increased risk of complications during pregnancy. Managing asthma during pregnancy is unique because the effects of both the illness and the treatment on the developing fetus and the patient must be considered.


RESULTS
This review summarizes the recent studies addressing the interrelationships between asthma and pregnancy and general aspects of pharmacologic therapy of gestational asthma.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of asthma in pregnant women appears to be increasing. Recent evidence supports that pregnant asthmatic women with moderate to severe asthma may have an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. The goal of asthma management during pregnancy is to optimize maternal and fetal health.
Namazy
Jennifer Altamura
JA
Kaiser-Permanente Medical Center, San Diego, CA 92111, USA. janamazy@mac.com
Schatz
Michael
M
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids