Inhaled steroids safe for pregnant women

Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 10 May 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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Inhaled steroids have no effect on the growth of babies in the womb, according to a new study that should offer reassurance for pregnant women with asthma.

Asthma treatment guidelines emphasise the importance of women with asthma continuing to take their inhaled steroids throughout their pregnancies.

But many people with asthma have concerns about their medication: Asthma UK research shows more than 50% are worried about the long-term side effects of steroid treatment, including a possible impact on growth.

The US study looked at the effect of inhaled steroids on the birth weight of children of women with asthma. Researchers compared the birth weights of around 400 babies whose mothers used a range of inhaled steroids for their asthma throughout pregnancy, including beclamethasone, fluticasone and budesonide.

Results showed that there were no differences between the range of birth weights of the children born to women in the study and those in the wider population. Similarly, there were no differences in the numbers of pre-term births or the incidence of low birth weight children.

'This study provides reassuring data that specific inhaled steroids do not lead to a restriction in fetal growth,' said Dr Michael Schatz of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, San Diego, who led the research.

Katie Shepherd, Asthma UK's Care Development Manager, echoed this: 'It is most important that asthma is well controlled throughout pregnancy. Where inhaled steroids have been prescribed, women with asthma should feel safe taking them, as under-treated asthma can pose a much greater risk to the health of their fetus.'

The study was published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

For advice and information on asthma, call the Asthma UK Adviceline (08457 01 02 03) or email an asthma nurse specialist at :
http://www.asthma.org.uk/help/helpline01.php

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