Study Links Maternal Asthma to Risks for Newborns

A recent study led by researchers from the University of Alberta has uncovered significant links between maternal asthma and adverse outcomes in newborns. The research analyzed health data from over 400,000 pregnancies in Alberta between 2009 and 2018, revealing that women with asthma face an increased risk of delivering preterm, low birth weight babies, or requiring cesarean sections. Specifically, babies born to mothers with asthma had a 15% higher risk of being born prematurely, an 11% increased chance of low birth weight, and a 10% greater likelihood of cesarean delivery compared to those born to mothers without asthma.

The study also distinguished different asthma types, finding that the highest risks were associated with women who exhibited elevated eosinophil and neutrophil levels in their blood, indicating a more active immune response. Notably, pregnancies where women engaged in prenatal education showed better outcomes, highlighting the importance of comprehensive prenatal care.

Padma Kaul, the principal investigator, emphasized awareness regarding asthma management during pregnancy. She pointed out that women should consult healthcare providers to optimize asthma control and access resources for a healthier pregnancy. The team also investigated the role of asthma phenotypes and the timing of diagnosis, offering insights that could influence clinical decisions.

Future research aims to explore how environmental factors like pollution impact maternal and childhood asthma, and how medication use may affect both mother and child health. The findings strengthen the importance of tailored prenatal care and highlight the need for continued investigation into asthma's impact on perinatal outcomes.

This study underscores the importance for women planning pregnancy or already pregnant to have well-managed asthma to mitigate risks to their babies and ensure healthier birth outcomes.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-maternal-asthma-babies.html