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CME Credit Offered
CME Credit Offered
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Abstract Award
Recording available 2/16-5/2
Recording available 2/16-5/2
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AIUM Credit
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Foundation Awardee
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Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Foundation Awardee
Foundation Awardee

Poster Session 2

Category: Epidemiology

Poster Session 2

(605) Maternal asthma and perinatal outcomes in California

Wednesday, February 11, 2026
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM  
Objective:
Asthma is a common chronic disease in the United States, and often patients see worsening of symptom control during pregnancy. Though improvements have been made in asthma diagnosis and treatment, few large studies have been done to evaluate how the severity of maternal asthma affects pregnancy outcomes. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between severity of asthma and maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Study Design:
This is a retrospective cohort study using linked vital statistics and hospital discharge data for births in California (2016-2020). We included pregnant asthmatic individuals with a singleton gestation who delivered between 23 and 42 weeks. Asthma severity was categorized as mild, moderate and severe. Chi-square tests and multivariable Poisson regression models were used to assess risk of outcomes among mild, moderate and severe asthma patients as compared to patients without asthma (reference group).  

Results:

We included a total of 1,660,227 patients, of which 0.9% had mild asthma, 0.1% had moderate, and 0.01% had severe asthma. The risk of pre-eclampsia increased from mild (aRR=1.32; 95% CI: 1.24-1.40) to severe asthma (aRR=1.68; 95% CI: 1.07-2.64). Similarly, the risk of gestational hypertension, severe maternal morbidity, and preterm delivery < 37 weeks increased from mild to moderate to severe asthma. When we compared neonatal outcomes, risk of respiratory distress syndrome increased from mild (aRR=1.16; 95% CI: 1.09-1.23) to severe asthma (aRR=1.71; 1.09-2.70). In addition, hypoglycemia, jaundice and small for gestational age also increased with rise in asthma severity.

Conclusion:

As the severity of asthma increased, risk of maternal and neonatal outcomes increased. Despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment, severe asthma is associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes.