A long-held belief that women with asthma will have an increase in pregnancy complications has been disputed.
In the May issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, UK reseachers have found that few, if any pregnancy complications were increased in women who have a history of asthma.
The study examined over 280,000 pregnancies and found that asthma did not significantly increase the likelihood of high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid problems, assisted deliveries (use of forceps of vacuum extractors), placenta abruption, placenta previa, or pre-eclampsia.
When compared to women without asthma, mothers with asthma did have a higher risk of antenatal and postpartum hemorrhage, anemia and depression. They also had a slightly higher chance of giving birth by cesarean.
The authors conclude, " Our results provide reassuring evidence that the risks of most adverse pregnancy outcomes and obstetric complications are similar to those in women without asthma," the investigators conclude.
"With the possible exception of increased vigilance in monitoring certain complications in pregnant women with asthma, our findings do not indicate a necessity to alter current practice of optimal (asthma drug therapy) in women of child-bearing age in the general population."
Brenda
