A new study on asthma and pregnancy, performed by Canadian researchers Dr. Lucie Blais and Amelie Forget, was published in the June 2008 issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. The research suggests that asthma attacks early in pregnancy put Baby at greater risk of birth defects.

According to a recent press release from The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), uncontrolled asthma during the first trimester of pregnancy greatly increases the risk of birth defects in babies. The researchers concluded that women who had an asthma flare-up in the first three months of pregnancy were 48 percent more likely to have a baby with at least one congenital defect than asthmatic mothers who did not have a flare-up in the first trimester.

Dr. Asriani Chiu, an associate professor of Pediatrics and Medicine (Allergy/Immunology) and program director for the Allergy/Immunology Fellowship Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin, says the results of the study were not surprising, but supported past findings. "Other studies have shown that pregnant mothers with asthma that is not well controlled have poorer outcomes for the baby," Dr. Chiu says. "But what was unique about this study is that the authors compared pregnant asthmatics that had exacerbations early in pregnancy, with other pregnant asthmatics who didn't have exacerbations. The past studies compared asthmatic mothers to non-asthmatic mothers, and didn't focus only on the early part of pregnancy (which is so important in the developmental stage)."

Why is uncontrolled asthma dangerous? The first trimester is a time of rapid development for the fetus. When a pregnant woman has an asthma attack during this crucial period, both the mother and the fetus can experience a drop in the level of oxygen in their blood. This can be problematic as the fetus needs a consistent supply of blood for normal growth and survival.

Content on this site is not a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment, and may not be used for such purposes. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical question or condition. Reliance on information presented on this site is at your own risk. This site contains the opinions and views of other users. Given the interactive nature of this site, we cannot endorse, guarantee, or be responsible for the accuracy, efficacy, or veracity of any content generated by our users.