[Asthma during pregnancy]

The fact that 1% of pregnant women are asthmatic raises the question of possible interactions between asthma and pregnancy. The effects of pregnancy on respiratory physiology are studied in a first chapter, while the second chapter is devoted to the effects of pregnancy on asthma. In round figures, 1/3 of the patients get worse, 1/3 are improved and 1/3 remain stable. The patients who deteriorate are those with very severe asthma and high IgE On the other hand, well-treated asthmas have no influence on pregnancy or foetal growth. All drugs classically used in asthma (theophyllines, beta-adrenergic stimulants [at a distance of delivery], atropine-like compounds and cortico-steroids) may be used by pregnant asthmatic women and should be prescribed in effective doses.