Asthma Attacks During Pregnancy in the ICU: Just Be Alert

Background:Asthma represents one of the most common medical conditions encountered during pregnancy, which may seriously affect its outcome. Objective: To evaluate the outcome of asthma attacks during pregnancy and the role medications play for appropriate asthma management. Methods: In this prospective study, we present our 15 years' experience from hospitalization in ICU of 11 pregnant women (13-29 weeks of gestation) with severe asthma. Results:All patients had a favorable outcome after being applied proper medical procedures and medications. The mean duration of patients' stay in ICU stay was 4.6 days, they were all closely observed until birth, and none of them had further asthma attacks during pregnancy after discharge. Conclusions:In our study severe asthma in pregnant women had an unexpectedly favorable outcome. Therefore, proper medication seems to be of crucial importance for positive outcomes in the case of asthma attacks during pregnancy. Moreover, careful follow-up by clinicians experienced in managing asthma seems to be essential for pregnant asthmatic patients.