Quality of care of asthma during pregnancy

Abstract

The goal of asthma management during pregnancy is to keep the mother symptom free and to prevent complications in the fetus. Asthma is a common chronic condition in pregnancy that, if inadequately treated, has the potential to cause adverse effects for both mother and fetus. Aggressive treatment during pregnancy can decrease costs associated with asthma now and additional costs later if the fetus has a poor outcome due to maternal asthma. A stepwise approach to the management of asthma during pregnancy has been developed and is not unlike the management of the nonpregnant patient. Although there are no double-blind, placebo-controlled studies on asthma medications in pregnant women, large cohort studies have shown the efficacy of aggressive management. With adequate control of asthma from the preconception time through delivery, studies have shown similar outcomes in asthmatic patients compared with nonasthmatics, thus obtaining the goal of a symptom-free mother and a healthy baby.

Keywords::

• asthma
• cromolyn sodium
• guidelines
• inhaled corticosteroids
• leukotriene modifiers
• long-acting β agonists
• nedocromil sodium
• omalizumab
• outcomes
• pregnancy
• quality of care
• short-acting β agonists
• systemic corticosteroids
• theophylline