Good Asthma Control During Pregnancy Helps Prevent Low Birth Weight

A recent study looks at just how crucial controlled asthma management can be during pregnancy for the mother and the child. 

As this condition generally affects around 10 percent of pregnant women, it comes in at the most common chronic condition in pregnancy. And how asthma responds during pregnancy can be different depending on each person's genetic and environmental background. 

For women with severe asthma, control may be likely to deteriorate with close to 60 percent of women experienceing significant problems, compared to those with mild asthma who will only experience a 10 percent increased risk for health issues during their pregnancy. Yet regardless of disease severity, health officials agree that women with asthma need to be monitored throughout their pregnancy. 

Poor asthma control can lead to adverse effects on maternal and fetal outcomes with a higher need for caesarean section and lower birth weight, according to background information via the study. Fortunately for most who have this problem under control, there are miminal additional risks or none at all. 

"Asthma is a widespread condition and poor management during pregnancy can lead to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes," Professor Chris Brightling, Professor of Respiratory Medicine and Honorary Consultant Physician, University Hospitals of Leicester and co-author of the paper said, via a press release. "Good asthma management to maintain tight control is vital and standard therapy may be safely used in pregnancy to achieve this along with close surveillance from midwives, obstetricians and for women with severe asthma a respiratory physician."

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More information regarding the study can be found via the The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist (TOG).