[Asthma and pregnancy. Review of the current literature and management according to the GINA 2006-2007 guidelines].
BACKGROUND
Many pregnant women are asthmatics and maternal asthma is a source of questions and complications concerning both the progress of the pregnancy itself and the impact on the foetus. In this situation good asthma control is essential as the disease can deteriorate with acute exacerbations, possibly precipitated by reduction or even withdrawal of treatment on account of fear of teratogenicity.


BACKGROUND
Even though asthma treatments are not totally harmless during pregnancy, their use has been validated by several studies and guidelines. To help clinicians, we undertake here a review of the complications induced by maternal asthma and its medications, and then suggest management guidelines according to the most recent publications.


CONCLUSIONS
The risks and benefits of asthma treatments should be explained in a real partnership between the patient and her general practitioner and specialists (obstetrician, chest physician or allergist). In order to reduce complications to both mother and child, perfect control of asthma is required and inhaled steroids remain the treatment of choice for partially or uncontrolled asthma in the pregnant woman.
Service de pneumologie, CHU de Liège, domaine universitaire du Sart Tilman, Liège, Belgique.
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D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D012306:Risk; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents