Acute asthma in pregnancy

(October 2004)

Elizabeth S. Guy, MD, Ashok Kirumaki, MD, Nicola A. Hanania, MD

Asthma is one of the most common medical conditions that can complicate pregnancy. Although most pregnant women with asthma have controlled disease, some women may experience exacerbation of their disease, necessitating immediate intervention. This article discusses the interrelations between asthma and pregnancy and presents an overview on the management of pregnant women presenting to the hospital with acute severe asthma. Treating physicians must overcome the common belief that pregnant women should not take any medications during pregnancy, and they should keep asthma in pregnant women under control to minimize the risk for maternal and fetal hypoxia.

Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Ben Taub General Hospital, 1504 Taub Loop, Houston, TX 77030, USA

Corresponding author

PII: S0749-0704(04)00061-2

doi:10.1016/j.ccc.2004.05.013

© 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.