Asthma in pregnancy may affect birthweight
9 May 2003
Girl babies of pregnant women with asthma have an increased likelihood of being small at birth, according to the preliminary findings of an asthma study released recently by the Asthma Foundation.
The study, conducted by a team of researchers at Newcastle’s Hunter Medical Research Institute and funded by the Asthma Foundation, is the first of its kind to track children of women with asthma from within the womb to after birth and through to childhood.
Research team leader Dr Vicki Clifton says the study highlights the need for women with asthma to continue taking their medication during pregnancy.
To date, Dr Clifton’s study of 138 pregnant women with asthma has found that:
- female babies whose mothers have asthma have an increased likelihood of developing asthma or atopy (allergy) during childhood;
- pregnant women with asthma who do not use inhaled steroids have smaller babies;
- only female babies in the womb are affected by a lack of inhaled asthma medications, while male fetuses are insensitive to the effects of both asthma or inhaled asthma medications; and
- pregnant women having a girl are more likely to have a worsening of asthma during pregnancy.
Dr Clifton says the findings may help determine which asthma medication is best used by pregnant women.
‘Our research has great significance for pregnant women with asthma and the effect that their asthma has on their unborn child,’ she said.
Last Reviewed: 12 May 2003
