A groundbreaking international consensus has been reached regarding the use of asthma biologics during pregnancy, offering new hope for pregnant women with severe asthma.
The formal agreement, “An International Consensus on the Use of Asthma Biologics in Pregnancy,” was recently published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. It highlights the potential benefits of biologics in reducing asthma-related complications during pregnancy.
The consensus was reached through a modified Delphi study involving 141 experts from 32 countries. This method involved multiple rounds of surveys where experts anonymously responded to achieve a consensus. The study was led by Apostolos Bossios, MD, an associate professor of respiratory medicine and a consultant respiratory physician at Karolinska University Hospital, a part of the Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM) in Stockholm, Sweden.
Apostolos Bossios, MD
In the consensus, researchers noted three key areas of importance:
- Benefits of biologics: For individuals with severe asthma, biologics have been shown to reduce asthma attacks, lower the need for corticosteroids and improve quality of life.
- Safety during pregnancy: The experts concluded that asthma biologics can be safely used throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. They emphasized the importance of weighing the risks against the benefits and making decisions in consultation with the patient.
- Need for further data: The experts highlighted the necessity of collecting more data through international registries to refine and improve guidelines.
According to the consensus, poorly controlled asthma during pregnancy can lead to serious complications, such as low birth weight, preterm delivery and preeclampsia. The use of biologics, which target specific mechanisms in the immune system, offers a promising solution to mitigate these risks.
The international consensus on the use of asthma biologics during pregnancy marks a significant step forward in maternal health care. By providing clear guidelines for clinical teams and emphasizing the need for further research, this consensus aims to enhance the quality of life for pregnant women with severe asthma and their babies.
