Effect of Asthma on Pregnancy Outcome 1. Avoidance of pollens, molds, pet dander, house
dust mites and cockroaches.
In most women asthma has no effect on the out
come of pregnancy. However uncontrolled asthma 2. Avoidance of substances like paints, chemical
may lead to increase in pre-term birth, low birth fumes, strong odours and environmental
weight, neonatal seizure, transient tachypnoea of pollution.
newborn, neonatal hypoglycemia 5 '6 . Uncontrolled
3. Remove allergy causing pets or animals at
asthma can also lead to higher rates of pregnancy
home or work place.
induced hypertension or preeclampsia and Caesarean
section, hyperglycemia. vaginal haemorrhage, 4. Avoid Acetyl Salicylic Acid (ASA) products
premature rupture of membrane.7 '9 and P-blockers.
Monitoring of Asthmatic women during pregnancy 5. Cessation of smoking - A pregnant women
who smokes runs a higher risk of a severe
Classification of asthma has been described in
asthma episode. This could also seriously
GINA Guidelines10 . Pregnant women should be
reduce the oxygen supply to the fetus,
monitored in following ways:
especially if the blood of the fetus already
Office spirometry at each visit preferably at contains a large amount of carbon monoxide
every 4-6 weeks. from cigarette smoke.
Peak expiratory flow rate be measured with
6. Avoidance of routine skin testing to identify
peak flow metres daily especially for those
allergens due to potential risk of systemic
who are on medication for asthma
reaction.
Peak flow rate should be taken on admission to
labour delivery unit and then every 12 hours. 7. Immunotherapy may be safely continued, if
already receiving injections, but initiation of
If asthma symptoms develop, peak flow rates
immunotherapy is not recommended.
should be measured after treatments to see
adequacy of respouse. Principles of Drug Therapy: Inhaled therapy is
I.V. fluids may be necessary to ensure the better than oral therapy because oral therapy may
mother's proper hydration. produce systemic side effects during long term
therapy2'5-10.
Adequate analgesia will limit the risk of
bronchospasm. 1. Active asthma control to be achieved by making
Indicator of Good Control of Asthma changes in medication during planning of
pregnancy i.e. prior to conception, if possible.
Active without experiencing any asthma Use minimum dose necessary to control
symptoms. symptoms to avoid fetal hypoxia. Dosages
Sleeping through the night, and not waking due should be decreased, if asthma improves during
to asthma symptoms. pregnancy.
Attaining her personal best peak flow reading. 2. Inhaled p2-agonist are considered safe. Due to
Monitoring Fetus risk of congenital malformation, parenteral
epinephrine should be avoided during early
Ultrasound: To delect early indication of fetal stage of pregnancy. Systemic beta agonist
distress. should be avoided near labour as they may
inhibit or prolong labour.
ASTHMA MANAGEMENT
DURING PREGNANCY 3. Dosages of theophylline may be adjusted due
to changing pharmacokinetics as pregnancy
Avoidance of asthma triggers: Various risk factors progresses and it crosses the placenta and may
which may precipitate asthma should be avoided as cause jitteriness in the newborn.
under.
120 INDIAN J ALLERGY ASTHM iA IMMUNOL 2006: 20(2)
4. If oral steroids are required for asthma control, 9. Oxytocin is safe for labour induction.
prednisolone and methyl prednisolone are the
10. Elective Caesarian section is more coi
preferred preparations since they cross the
with severe asthma and should be dont
placenta poorly. Try to minimise the dosage and
close cooperation of respiratory phys
duration of oral corticosteroid and alternate day
obstetrician and anesthetist.
dosing be preferred over daily dosing.
According to Global Initiative for Asthma 10 , REFERENCES
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