Pregnancy and asthma.

sthma has been reported to occur in 0.4 to 1.3 percent of pregnant women.” Unfortunately, the literature offers few data on prognostic information regarding potential changes in asthma during pregnancy. While it is generally impossible to predict the effect of pregnancy on asthma for an individual patient, it is established that uncontrolled asthma during pregnancy has been associated with maternal and fetal mortality.”4 However, when romen with severe asthma have their disease stabilized with oral and/or inhaled corticosteroids, maternal and fetal mortality can be avoided.’6 This article will highlight some of the following: (1) physiologic alterations associated with pregnancy and consider their effects on asthma; (2) effects of pregnancy on the course of asthma; (3) management of acute and chronic asthma; and (4) labor and delivery.