Context

Asthma is a growing medical and public health concern, and is the most frequent respiratory disorder complicating pregnancy. Estimates from 2001 to 2003 National Health Interview Survey indicate that 8.8% of pregnant women had current asthma.1 As has been observed in other population segments, asthma in pregnancy has been increasing over time.1 In the last four decades, several studies have reported the adverse effects of asthma during pregnancy on infant and maternal outcomes.2 The reported adverse outcomes for the most part are consistent, but varied by the study design as well as by whether or not pregnant women with asthma were actively managed.