Asthma in pregnancy

Asthma, one of the most common serious medical problems to complicate pregnancy, affects 3-8% of pregnancies in the United States. The goals of therapy in the pregnant asthmatic patient do not differ from those in non-pregnant patients. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are preferred in the management of all levels of persistent asthma in pregnant patients, because these agents have been shown to reduce asthma exacerbations during pregnancy. Asthma in pregnancy is often undertreated due to physician and patient concerns over the effects of asthma medications on the fetus. However, undertreatment leads to loss of asthma control and increases in maternal morbidity, perinatal mortality, preeclampsia, preterm birth, and low birth weight infants. Recent prospective clinical cohort studies with active asthma management by NAEPP guidelines show no evidence of increased maternal or fetal morbidity or mortality. Therefore, it is critical for the mother to understand that failure to control asthma during pregnancy may lead to poor outcomes. A case study follows to highlight clinical pearls and pitfalls in the management of asthma in the pregnant patient.