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The effect of pregnancy on asthma varies; deterioration is slightly more common than improvement, but most pregnant women do not have severe attacks. The effect of asthma on pregnancy also varies, but risk of preterm delivery and fetal growth restriction is increased.
Treatment
Pregnancy does not usually change treatment of asthma (see Asthma and Related Disorders: Treatment; see also the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute practice guideline Managing asthma during pregnancy.) Inhaled bronchodilators and corticosteroid inhalers are first-line maintenance therapy. Theophylline is no longer recommended routinely during pregnancy. For an acute exacerbation, in addition to bronchodilators, methylprednisolone 60 mg IV q 6 h for 24 to 48 h may be used, followed by oral prednisone in a tapering dose.
Last full review/revision December 2008 by Sean C. Blackwell, MD
Content last modified December 2008
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