Asthma and pregnancy.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting up to 10% of all women of child-bearing age. In most patients asthma can be safely treated during pregnancy. However, asthma crises or exacerbations during pregnancy can be life threatening to both the mother and the child. Uncontrolled asthma has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and adverse effects to the fetus (eg, prematurity, low birth weight, increased risk of congenital malformations). Impaired oxygenation during asthma crisis in pregnancy is a major concern. Aggressive treatment of asthma during pregnancy, including the use of systemic corticosteroids if necessary, has been advocated to achieve asthma control and to avoid attacks. Pregnant asthmatics require regular and intensified monitoring. National and international guidelines recommend that antiasthmatic treatment should be maintained and intensified if necessary for the well-being of both the mother and the unborn child. Although there is consensus that the potential risks of uncontrolled asthma during pregnancy outweigh the potential risks of antiasthmatic medications the use of the lowest doses possible to achieve and maintain asthma control is recommended. Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.