Pregnant women with poorly controlled asthma have an increased risk of developing pre-eclampsia and having a low birth weight or premature baby, a new study warns.
In a major review, which looked at data from 1975 to 2009 on more than 1 million mums-to-be, researchers found those with poorly controlled asthma were 50% more likely to develop pre-eclampsia and 25% more likely to have a premature baby.
"The findings are significant and call for women with asthma to be more closely monitored during pregnancy," said Dr Christina Chambers, who led the study published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
"It would be advisable for women on regular medications for asthma or having frequent symptoms to be monitored at least monthly during the course of their pregnancies."
Dr Cecilia Bottomley discusses pre-eclampsia and says the only cure for the disease is delivery of the baby but that doctors will try and prolong delivery where possible.
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