Asthma in Pregnancy

Asthma is a common disease among pregnant women. Uncontrolled asthma may increase the risk of maternal and foetal complications, thus optimal asthma management is elemental during pregnancy. Therapy must aim to control the disease; asthmatic women with controlled asthma should continue taking their medications during pregnancy, and maintenance therapy should be increased if asthma is not controlled. Most of the asthma medications have no effects on foetal growth. Although oral corticosteroids may confer an increased risk of lower birth weight and congenital malformations, benefit-risk considerations still favour their use in patients with asthma exacerbations during pregnancy. This review summarises immunological changes characterising asthmatic pregnancy and the clinical implications of asthma management during pregnancy.