NEW research indicates that maternal use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) during pregnancy is linked to improved early lung function in infants born to asthmatic mothers.
Maternal Asthma and Infant Lung Function
Infants born to mothers with asthma are at risk for reduced lung function in early life, potentially predisposing them to respiratory issues later. While ICS are a cornerstone of asthma management during pregnancy, their impact on infant lung development has been unclear. This study addresses the gap, evaluating whether maternal ICS use can mitigate the negative effects of asthma on neonatal lung health.
Study Design Explores Effects of Inhaled Corticosteroids
Researchers conducted multivariable regression analyses on 186 infants, assessing lung function at 4–6 weeks using tidal breathing flow-volume loops and functional residual capacity (FRC). Maternal ICS use during pregnancy was compared with non-use in asthmatic mothers, and outcomes were benchmarked against infants born to non-asthmatic mothers. The tPTEF:tE ratio, adjusted for FRC, served as the primary marker for early airway function, providing a sensitive measure of subtle respiratory changes.
Inhaled Corticosteroids Use Improves Early Lung Function
Among infants of asthmatic mothers, those exposed to ICS in utero showed a significant improvement in tPTEF:tE ratio compared with infants whose mothers did not use ICS (coefficient 0.06/mL, 95% CI 0.01–0.11, p=0.014). Notably, infants of non-ICS-using asthmatic mothers had lower tPTEF:tE ratios compared with controls (coefficient −0.08/mL, 95% CI −0.01 to −0.02, p=0.012), whereas ICS-exposed infants did not differ from controls (coefficient −0.02/mL, 95% CI −0.06 to 0.03, p=0.453). These findings suggest that ICS use during pregnancy may counteract the early lung function deficits associated with maternal asthma.
The study highlights inhaled corticosteroids as a potential strategy to protect infant lung development in pregnancies affected by asthma. Future research should explore long-term respiratory outcomes in this population.
Reference
Martins Costa Gomes G et al. Association between maternal asthma and impaired infant lung function is diminished by inhaled corticosteroid use in pregnancy. Thorax. 2025; DOI:10.1136/thorax-2025-223539.
