Maternal and Neonatal Complications of Asthma, a Study in Iran

Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disorder during pregnancy and it may affect pregnancy outcomes. This study aims to compare the pregnancy, delivery and neonatal outcomes between asthmatic and non-asthmatic pregnant women.

The study was designed as a historical cohort among pregnant women with and without asthma. A total number of 583 asthmatic patients were allocated to the case group and 753 women without asthmatic history were placed in the control group.  Pregnancy, labor and neonatal outcomes were compared between the two groups.

The baseline characteristics of the women in both groups did not show significant differences. Gestational hypertension was more in the asthmatic group [43 (7.37%) VS 26 (3.45%), P=0.001]. Also the rate of preterm delivery was higher in asthmatic women [72 (12.34%) VS 77 (10.22%) in the control group, P=0.04]. However, the rate of preeclampsia was less in the asthmatic group [29 (4.97%) VS 71 (9.42%), P=0.008].  Apgar score at minutes 1 and 5 was less in asthmatic group. Intra Uterine Fetal Demise (IUFD) [24 (4.1%) VS 13(1.7%), P value=0.009], and neonatal death [31 (5.31%) VS 10 (1.32%), P=0.001] were more in the asthmatic group. The maternal and neonatal complications did not show significant differences in various severities of asthma. Multivariate regression model showed more risks for neonatal death [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=4.18; CI95% 2.03-8.60], IUFD (AOR=2.43; CI95% 1.22-4.82), gestational hypertension (AOR= 1.43; CI 95% 1.40-1.45), and lower risk for preeclampsia (AOR 0.37; CI95%0.17-0.79) in asthmatic women.

Regardless of the fact that asthmatic mothers had higher frequencies of gestational hypertension, IUFD and neonatal death, the effect of asthma on perinatal outcome is minimal, probably because of efficient medical control.