Previous research is mixed on whether continuing use of inhaled corticosteroids for asthma in pregnancy is risky.A South Korean population-based study found no significant differences in adverse neonatal or maternal outcomes among women with asthma who continued or discontinued inhaled corticosteroid use.Asthma control in pregnancy is important for maternal and neonatal health.
Women with asthma who continued taking inhaled corticosteroids during the first trimester of pregnancy did not suffer higher rates of adverse outcomes compared with those who discontinued use, a South Korean nationwide cohort study found.
After controlling for confounding, there were no statistically significant differences in maternal or neonatal outcomes. The risks per 1,000 pregnancies for the following outcomes among those who continued versus discontinued inhaled corticosteroids in the first trimester were:Gestational diabetes: 145.6 vs 131.9 (weighted risk ratio [RR] 1.05, 95% CI 0.90-1.22)Preeclampsia: 21.8 vs 13.3 (weighted RR 1.14, 95% CI 0.74-1.75)Preterm birth: 131.4 vs 128.6 (weighted RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.82-1.11)Low birth weight: 77.5 vs 58.3 (weighted RR 1.11, 95% CI 0.89-1.39)Congenital malformations: 57.6 vs 42.2 (weighted RR 1.22, 95% CI 0.94-1.56)
