Maternal asthma can adversely affect pregnancy outcomes

January 01, 0001

Maternal asthma can adversely affect pregnancy outcomes

The aim of this study by researchers from Australia was to determine if there are sex differences in risk and incidence of stillbirth, preterm delivery and small-for-gestational age (SGA) in singleton pregnancies complicated by maternal asthma relative to a non-asthmatic population in Newcastle, NSW, Australia, from 1995 to 1999. Asthma complicated 12% of all singleton pregnancies.

The incidence of preterm delivery was not significantly different between asthmatic (13%) and non-asthmatic (11%) pregnancies. Male fetuses (53%) were more likely to deliver preterm than female fetuses (47%) in both asthmatic and non-asthmatic populations. There were significantly more male neonates of pregnancies complicated by asthma that were SGA at term relative to those of the non-asthmatic population. There were significantly more preterm female neonates that were SGA in pregnancies complicated by asthma relative to those of the non-asthmatic population. Male fetuses were more likely to be associated with a stillbirth in pregnancies complicated by asthma than female fetuses.

The researchers concluded: "The presence of maternal asthma during pregnancy increases the risk of stillbirth for the male fetus and is associated with changes in fetal growth, but does not increase the incidence of a preterm delivery."

This information may benefit by being compared to untreated asthma during pregnancy (although such data may not be available).

For the full abstract, click here.

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 49(6): 619-626, published online 21 Dec 2009
© 2009 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnancies complicated by asthma in an Australian population. Vicki L. Clifton, Patricia Engel, Roger Smith et al. Correspondence to Vicki L. Clifton: [email protected]

Category: R. Respiratory, W. Pregnancy/Childbirth/Family Planning. Keywords: asthma, fetal sex, pregnancy, preterm, still birth, cohort study, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Stephen Wilkinson, Melbourne, Australia. Posted on Global Family Doctor 25 February 2010

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