Asthma during pregnancy

ASTHMA

Asthma is a restrictive-airways disease that is encounteredin approximately 4% to 8% of pregnant patients. The effectsof pregnancy on asthma are variable—in general, about one third of patients worsen, one third improve, and the remaining one third are unchanged. Women with mild or moderateasthma usually have excellent maternal and fetal outcomes (Table 14.3). However, suboptimal control of asthma dur-ing pregnancy may be associated with increased maternal or fetal risk. Decreased FEV₁ (forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration) is associated with increased risk of low birth weight and prematurity. 

Pregnant patients with asthma, even those with mild or well-controlled disease, should be monitored with PEFR or FEV₁ testing as well as by close symptom observation.

Routine evaluation of pulmonary function in pregnant women with persistent asthma is recommended. Serial ultrasound examinations and antenatal fetal testing should be considered for women who have moderate or severe asthma during pregnancy beginning at 32 weeks of ges-tation or for women recovering from a severe asthma exacerbation

The ultimate goal of asthma therapy in pregnancy is main-taining adequate oxygenation of the fetus by preventing hypoxic episodes in the mother. Inhaled corticosteroid therapy, par-ticularly budesonide, is the first-line controller treatment for persistent asthma during pregnancy. Inhaled albuterol is the recommended rescue therapy. In thestep-care ther-apeutic approach, the number and dosage of medications areincreased with increasing asthma severity. Once control ofsymptoms is achieved, a “step-down” approach is usually implemented in the nonpregnant patient. In pregnant pa-tients, it may be prudent to postpone a reduction in a ther-apy that is effectively controlling a patient’s asthma until after the birth. Patients should be instructed to identify and control or avoid factors, such as allergens and irritants, par-ticular tobacco smoke.

Management of a severely asthmatic pregnant patient is similar to that of a nonpregnant patient. Evaluation con-sists of measurement of pulmonary function and arterial blood gases. Treatment may include administration of sup-plemental oxygen, treatment with nebulized β-agonists, corticosteroids (oral or intravenous), or intubation. Women who are currently receiving or recently have taken systemic corticosteroids should receive intravenous administration of corticosteroids during labor and for 24 hours after delivery to prevent adrenal crisis.