Importance of Maintaining Asthma Treatment During Pregnancy for Maternal and Fetal Health

Основні поняття

Proper management of asthma during pregnancy, including maintaining inhaled corticosteroid therapy, is crucial for the health of the mother and fetus, despite common practices of treatment reduction or cessation.

Анотація

The article discusses the importance of maintaining asthma treatment during pregnancy, despite the common practice of reducing or stopping medication. Pregnancy can lead to asthma instability and increased risk of exacerbations due to mechanical, hormonal, and immunological changes. However, poorly controlled asthma can result in complications for the mother and fetus, such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and increased risk of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.
The article highlights that a significant proportion of pregnant women stop their asthma maintenance therapy upon discovering their pregnancy, and physicians often opt for therapeutic de-escalation, which is usually insufficient for optimal asthma control. This is despite the fact that the benefits of active asthma treatment during pregnancy far outweigh the risks of usual asthma medications.
The article emphasizes the importance of continuing prescribed medications, including biologics for severe asthma, and adjusting the dosage of inhaled corticosteroids as needed. It also discusses the reluctance of physicians to administer optimal treatment during asthma exacerbations in pregnant women, due to concerns about the effects of bronchodilators and systemic corticosteroids, which can lead to less effective treatment.
The article also mentions the issue of labeling of teratogenic or fetotoxic drugs in France, where manufacturers are required to display a pictogram on the label indicating the danger for pregnant women or the fetus, which can complicate prescriptions for pregnant asthmatic women.

Статистика

Pregnancy exerts mechanical pressure on respiratory function, leading to a decrease in functional residual capacity and expiratory reserve volume.
About one third of asthma cases remain stable, one third worsen, and one third improve during pregnancy.
Pregnancy is considered a period of asthma instability, with a doubled risk for exacerbation compared with nonpregnant women.
One third of women had their asthma treatment reduced in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Цитати

"The control of asthma during pregnancy is influenced by pregnancy itself, but especially by the severity of the disease before pregnancy and the underuse of inhaled corticosteroids."
"When a pregnant woman presents to the emergency room due to an asthma exacerbation, physicians are often reluctant to administer optimal treatment for fear of the effects of bronchodilators and systemic corticosteroids."
"Given the low, if any, risks associated with the main asthma treatments for the mother and fetus, continuing treatments started before conception is highly recommended."

Ключові висновки, отримані з

Asthma Treatment During Pregnancy: Stay the Course!

by Nathalie о www.medscape.com 06-20-2024

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/asthma-treatment-during-pregnancy-stay-course-2024a1000bh9

Глибші Запити

What are the potential long-term consequences of poorly controlled asthma during pregnancy for the child's health and development?

Poorly controlled asthma during pregnancy can have significant long-term consequences for the child's health and development. Some potential outcomes include:

Low birth weight: Poorly controlled asthma can lead to intrauterine growth retardation, resulting in the baby being born with a low birth weight.
Prematurity: Asthma exacerbations during pregnancy can increase the risk of premature birth, which can have long-term health implications for the child.
Congenital malformations: Severe asthma exacerbations can potentially lead to congenital malformations in the baby, affecting their long-term health and development.
Increased risk of respiratory issues: Children born to mothers with poorly controlled asthma may have a higher likelihood of developing respiratory problems later in life.

How can healthcare providers address the reluctance to administer optimal asthma treatment during exacerbations in pregnant women?

Healthcare providers can address the reluctance to administer optimal asthma treatment during exacerbations in pregnant women by:

Providing education: Healthcare providers should educate pregnant women about the importance of maintaining asthma control during pregnancy and the potential risks of undertreating exacerbations.
Collaborating with obstetricians: Working closely with obstetricians can help healthcare providers develop a comprehensive treatment plan that considers both the mother and the fetus's well-being.
Offering reassurance: Healthcare providers should reassure pregnant women that the benefits of active asthma treatment during pregnancy far outweigh the risks, as supported by scientific evidence.
Following guidelines: Adhering to established guidelines, such as those from the GINA report, can help healthcare providers make informed decisions about asthma management in pregnant women.

What innovative approaches or technologies could be explored to improve asthma management and monitoring in pregnant women?

Innovative approaches and technologies that could be explored to improve asthma management and monitoring in pregnant women include:

Telemedicine: Utilizing telemedicine platforms can allow pregnant women to have virtual consultations with healthcare providers, ensuring regular monitoring and timely adjustments to treatment plans.
Wearable devices: Wearable devices that track respiratory parameters, such as peak flow and oxygen saturation levels, can provide real-time data for healthcare providers to monitor asthma control remotely.
Mobile applications: Developing mobile applications specifically designed for pregnant women with asthma can help them track symptoms, medication adherence, and asthma triggers, facilitating better self-management.
Personalized medicine: Embracing personalized medicine approaches, such as genetic testing to identify optimal treatment options, can tailor asthma management plans to individual pregnant women's needs, improving outcomes.