Reproductive toxicology
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Reproductive toxicology · Sep 2011
ReviewAsthma, asthma medications and their effects on maternal/fetal outcomes during pregnancy.
Maternal asthma may increase the risk of adverse fetal and maternal outcomes such as low birth weight, perinatal mortality, preterm birth, preeclampsia, hypertensive disorders, maternal mortality, uterine hemorrhage, and gestational diabetes. Controlling asthma during pregnancy with appropriate medications leads to improved intrauterine growth of the fetus and fewer adverse perinatal outcomes. ⋯ However, taking oral corticosteroids during pregnancy may confer increased risk of lower birth weight and congenital malformations. Therefore, managing pregnant asthmatics requires a careful benefit-risk analysis, and when indicated, the benefits of a medication that may have increased risks can dictate its use in severe uncontrolled asthma.