Inhaled Steroids for Asthma in Pregnancy Not Linked to Adverse Outcomes
A South Korean nationwide cohort study found no significant differences in adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes among women with asthma who continued versus discontinued inhaled corticosteroids during the first trimester of pregnancy. Outcomes included gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm birth, low birth weight, and congenital malformations. The authors say asthma control in pregnancy remains important and management should be individualized.
The study drew on two comprehensive South Korean databases, covering over a decade of mother-child records, and included women with an asthma diagnosis and at least two inhaled corticosteroid prescriptions before pregnancy. Researchers compared those who continued versus discontinued these medications during the first trimester, adjusting for confounders. The analysis examined five key outcomes, including gestational diabetes and congenital malformations, and found no statistically significant differences between groups. The authors emphasized that asthma control remains critical during pregnancy, and that treatment decisions should be individualized, given potential differences in underlying disease severity between women who continue or stop their inhalers.
This finding may reassure pregnant women with asthma and their clinicians, potentially reducing unnecessary discontinuation of effective therapy. Since poorly controlled asthma is linked to maternal and fetal complications, clearer evidence on inhaled corticosteroid safety could encourage better disease management during pregnancy. However, the observational design and specific population mean results may not generalize everywhere, so individual risk assessment and shared decision-making remain essential. The study could influence clinical guidelines and patient counseling, though further research in diverse settings would strengthen confidence.