title: Systematic review of the safety of regular preventive asthma medications during pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the safety of regular preventive asthma medications during pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The following databases were searched from inception to February 2011: Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and CINAHL Plus.
  
  
  METHODS
  The search was limited to human studies published in the English language. Titles of all articles were screened for relevance. Abstracts of relevant articles were scrutinized to confirm relevance before obtaining full text.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Selected articles were read by 2 authors and the accuracy of the data extracted was confirmed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-three articles were included in the final review. Small sample size, missing data, inadequate control for confounding factors, and poor documentation of dosage range were common limitations of the studies reviewed. The use of inhaled corticosteroids, cromolyns, and long-acting β(2) agonists during pregnancy was not associated with any particular adverse event, although the fluticasone/salmeterol combination has been associated with poor outcomes in postmarketing studies. Congenital malformations have been reported with leukotriene receptor antagonist exposure during pregnancy, but those women also had exposure to other medications, including oral corticosteroids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some negative outcomes of preventive asthma medications have been reported, although their direct link with medication use is inconclusive. Selection of preventive medications for asthma management during pregnancy should be based on an assessment of the risks and benefits of medication use versus the risks of poorly controlled asthma.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Angelina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: König
authors.forename: Johnson
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: George
mesh_terms: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D013723:Teratogens
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D013723:Teratogens