Asthma management in pregnancy and lactation: A review of current evidence and best practice recommendations.

Abstract

This review will consider current evidence regarding asthma medications during pregnancy and lactation, combined with advice regarding the importance of diagnostic certainty and best practice asthma management. Data for this review were sourced from a comprehensive search of electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Additional sources such as clinical practice guidelines, systematic reviews, and relevant reference lists were also consulted. Studies selected for inclusion in this review encompassed observational, case-control, and cohort studies, as well as meta-analyses and reviews published in peer-reviewed journals. Discontinuation of asthma medications during pregnancy is common and compromises asthma control, increasing the risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Breastfeeding may be unnecessarily avoided when restarting medications post-partum. There is a lack of high-quality research on asthma and allergy medications during pregnancy and lactation. Expert consensus suggests that the benefit of adequate asthma control in pregnancy outweighs the potential risks of commonly used asthma medications. Confirming the diagnosis, ensuring close monitoring and collaborating with specialists is key to safe management of asthma in pregnancy.